Hackney carriage driver licence

To drive a licensed hackney carriage in Portsmouth you must have been issued a hackney carriage driver’s licence by Portsmouth City Council.

It is an offence to drive a licensed vehicle without this licence – a general guide to the law, policies and requirements to obtain a hackney carriage driver’s licence are below.

How to apply

You will need to complete an application form which is available by emailing licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and provide other information in order for us to process your application. All information received will be treated with respect and in confidence.

To help us consider your application it is our policy for you to provide a criminal record bureau (CRB) check, a current driving licence or European community licence and written references of support from two people. You will also need to demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of Portsmouth and that you are medically fit to drive.

More documents are available below to support your application, including the information leaflet.

Legal requirements

There is lots of different legislation governing proprietors and vehicles. The laws covering the licensing of Hackney carriage drivers are Part II, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and Transport Act 1985.

The 1976 Act says we cannot grant you a licence unless we are satisfied that:

you are a ‘fit and proper’ to hold a driver’s licence
you currently hold (and have held) a full driving licence issued by DVLA (or a valid European community licence) for a period of 12 months before making your application to us
you are 18 or over
you have been honest in supplying information to us and must not, under any circumstances, make a false statement at any time to obtain your licence (this is a serious offence)

Granting or renewing your licence

Once you have provided the correct information we will be in a position to issue your licence, which will expire on 30 April annually. You must also provide the licence fee shown on the application form – cash, switch, debit, credit card or cheque made payable to Portsmouth City Council.

If we refuse to grant/renew, or we suspend/revoke a Hackney carriage driver’s licence, you have a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.

You can renew your licence using our online form.