HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION How to apply for a Private Hire Operator’s Licence WARNING: Before you apply you should check with the Council’s Planning Department if planning permission is/is not required. If you wish to discuss this matter or require further clarification of the requirements please contact the Council’s Licensing Section – before you submit your application. The Licensing Section will explain the full procedure for applying for a Private Hire Operators Licence and provide you with the application form and if required, a Criminal Records Bureau form will be completed on your behalf. (Please note a CRB form is not required if you hold a current Single Status Drivers Licence with the Council). You will be required to produce the following documentation in support of your application:      2 recent identical passport size photographs (for each applicant) Required fee – please note fees will not be refunded under any circumstances Copy Planning Permission or letter from the Planning Department confirming that permission it not required List of vehicles you intend to operate under the Licence Identification documents for the CRB application (if applicable) such as: 1 document from Group 1 and 2 further documents from Groups 1 or 2 (one of which must verify your current address) GROUP 1 Current Full DVLA Driving Licence & Photocard (if applicable) Current Valid Passport Birth Certificate (Issued within 12 months of the Date of Birth) Continued ……………….. December 2012 HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION GROUP 2A Current Valid Passport Current UK Driving Licence (Photocard or old style paper version) Biometric Residence Permit (UK) Birth Certificate (UK and Channel Islands) issued within 12 months of date of birth Certified copy of Birth Certificate issued after 12 months of the date of birth Marriage Certificate/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK) Adoption Certificate (UK) HM forces ID card (UK) Fire Arms Licence (UK) Group 2B Mortgage Statement (UK)** Bank /Building Society Statement (UK)* Credit Card Statement (UK)* Pension, Endowment, ISA Statement (UK)** P45/P60 Statement (UK & Channel Islands)** Council Tax Statement (UK & Channel Islands)** Work Permit/visa (UK) (UK Residence Permit)** Utility Bill (UK)* – Not Mobile Telephone Benefit Statement* eg Child Allowance, Pension A document from Central / Local Government* EU National ID Card Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK) Denoted with * - it should be less than three months old Denoted with ** - it should be issued within the past 12 months Not denoted – it can be more than 12 months old The Council will normally issue a Licence 24 hours from completion of the application process: this means when all outstanding matters have been completed and all documentation has been received by the Licensing Section. Operators Licences are issued for one year period and will be sent to you in the post. RENEWAL REMINDERS When the Licence is due for renewal the Licensing Section will send you a reminder letter together with a renewal application form. This is a courtesy only – it is entirely the responsibility of the Licence holder to submit the renewal application on time. You will need to submit the renewal application through the Licensing Section. December 2012 HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION For renewal applications the following will be required:     Application form Current fee 2 identical passport size photographs (for each applicant) Full list of vehicles operating under the system Planning Permission/letter will not be required on renewal. If you hold a SSD Licence with the Council a CRB will not be required upon renewal. If you do not hold a SSD Licence a CRB will be required every 3 years. IMPORTANT – a list of all vehicles operating under the system must accompany the renewal application. Detailed guidance on selected items CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECK You will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings you may have had (however old they may be). For licensing purposes convictions can never become "spent" under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please bear in mind that police checks can take a number of weeks to complete. PLANNING PERMISSION Applicants may require planning permission to operate from premises. An applicant needs to check with the Council’s Planning Department to ascertain if permission is required. If permission is required you must obtain the necessary permission and produce a copy of the permission to support the application. If the Planning Department confirm that permission IS NOT REQUIRED, applicants must obtain written confirmation that is it not required from the Council’s Planning Department and produce a copy of the confirmation to support the application. PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS You are required to produce TWO recent identical colour passport type photographs of each applicant. One photograph will be placed on the Licence and one will be held on file. Photographs will be rejected if they are not of acceptable quality and must not be more than 3 months old. December 2012 HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION FEE The appropriate fee is payable upon application. If there is anything about the procedure you do not understand or need further clarification please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Section who will be happy to assist you. LICENSING SECTION 4th FLOOR MUNICIPAL BUILDING KINGSWAY WIDNES CHESHIRE WA8 7QF Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 12.00 pm 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm NOTE: THE COUNTER WILL BE CLOSED EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH FROM 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm When attending the Building please report to Reception on the Ground Floor who will direct you to the 4th Floor (there is no need to make a prior appointment) Direct Dial Telephone numbers for taxi related matters: Licensing Officers: 0151 511 8356 0151 511 8771 Taxi Enforcement Officer: 0151 511 8062 December 2012