Taxis and private hire

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Applicants must read the DBS Enhanced Check Privacy Policy before applying. You must declare that you have read and understood how the DBS will process your data. To make the renewal process easier, we advise that all licensed drivers sign up for the DBS update service.

Read the revised DBS code of practice and our licensing privacy notice before you apply.

All applications for new licences and renewals will automatically be checked on the national register of revocations and refusals (NR3).

Our statutory duty

We have a statutory duty to licence all:

• hackney carriages
• private hire vehicles
• operators
• drivers

These powers are granted under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1976.

Fees

Our current fees are published on our hackney carriage and private hire fees page.

Apply for a new licence

To apply for a hackney, private hire, or dual driving licence you must:

• have held a full UK driving licence or acceptable non-UK driving licence for at least a year
• pass our taxi licence test

You will also need to complete the following:

• a DVLA check code obtain form
• a medical form
• a Driving Standards Assessment (DSA) test with either:
  • Blue Lamp Trust
  • Green Penny
  • TG Training
  • Drive Tech
• an ID checklist
• register for the DBS Update Service
• a EQUO test

To complete your DBS application, you must book an appointment with us. If you are applying for a hackney or dual licence, you will also need to take a wheelchair test with:

• Blue Lamp Trust
• Green Penny

Apply for a new taxi licence

What happens next

We check that all drivers have a thorough knowledge of Maidstone and are medically fit to hold a licence. We also check licensed vehicles regularly to make sure they are safe.

New licences are issued for three years. We can issue a yearly badge in the first year of applying if requested or due to medical grounds.

All licensed vehicles must have a licence plate fixed to the back and drivers are given a photographic ID card. This must be worn when driving.

Renew your existing licence

Existing licensed drivers must apply to renew their licence a minimum of 14 days before it expires. Not doing so may mean you have to apply as a new applicant instead.

You must give us your completed medical examination within six weeks of making your renewal application.

To renew your licence you will need to complete the following:

• a medical form
• DVLA check code obtain form
• DBS Update Service
• ID Checklist
• EQUO test

You must also make an appointment with a member of the licensing team to complete:

• a DBS application to check if you have any criminal convictions, unless you've signed up to their update service
• our DVLA mandate

Once you're ready to make your application please email licensing@maidstone.gov.uk to make an appointment to meet with an officer.

Renew your taxi licence

How long does the licence last

Licences may be issued for up to three years depending on your immigration status and/or medical history. Each application is dealt with on its own merits.

Apply for a vehicle licence

Before applying for a licence, you must read our Taxi Licensing Policy and our licence fees.

You will also need to supply your:

• vehicle registration document/log book (V5C)
• insurance certificate
• your insurance must allow you to apply for either a taxi driver or private hire operator licence

Your vehicle will need to be booked in for a compliance test. To book this contact Johnsons Garage on 01580 890378 Or Marshams Garage and MOT Centre on 01622 200100.

Apply for a licence

How long does the licence last

New licences are issued for one year and are renewed yearly.

Tariffs

Tariff one

This tariff applies from 6am to 12am.

On 24 December and 31 December up to 6pm tariff one applies.

Tariff two

For hirings between midnight and 6am and all day Sunday and Bank Holidays 50% above tariff one rate except where tariff three applies. From 6pm to midnight on 24 December and 31 December tariff two applies.

Tariff three

For hirings between midnight 24 December and 6am on 27 December tariff three applies and midnight on 31 December and 6am on 2 January 100% above tariff one rate.

Extra charges

For vehicles hired by more than two passengers, an extra 10p per person will be charged.

Fares for time

If a Hackney carriage is hired by time the fare will be agreed with the customer at the time of the hiring.

Taximeter

Apart from extra charges covered in the tables above, drivers are not allowed to charge more than the fare displayed on the taximeter.

Contamination fee

An additional £50 will be charged if a passenger or animal has soiled or fouled in a hackney carriage during the journey.

Apply for a private hire operator licence

If you want to provide pre-booked work, you'll need a private hire operator licence. This includes airport transfers and hen or stag nights.

If you're planning to run the business from home, you may also need to apply for planning permission. For more information about planning, visit our Planning for Business pages.

Before applying, you must read our Taxi Licensing Policy.

Apply online

Before making your application you must read the DBS enhanced check privacy policy.

If you already hold a current taxi driver licence you can apply without this.

How long does the licence last

New licences are issued for one, three or five years.

Apply for a private hire licence

Other ways of applying

Apply by post

You will need to download our guidance notes to drivers and fill in the private hire, hackney carriage or dual driver licence application form and send it to:

Apply in person

Email licensingmbc@maidstone.gov.uk to book an appointment to see one of our Licensing Officers. They will also be able to answer any questions about your application.

Reporting an accident

The vehicle licence holder must report any accidents to us within 72 hours using the accident report form. This will ensure we can check that the vehicle is safe for people to travel in.

It is a legal requirement that the proprietor of the vehicle submits this form - not the driver. The proprietor will require information from the driver of the vehicle at the time to complete the details of the accident.

If you knowingly or recklessly make a false statement or omit any material information on this form, you may be prosecuted and your licence may be revoked.

This report does not remove the responsibility of the driver to report an accident to the police as required by the Road Traffic Act 1988. There is also a  requirement for the driver/proprietor/operator to notify us of any criminal proceedings arising out of the accident.

If you require a temporary vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired, you will be provided the link to pass onto your insurance provider once your accident report form has been submitted.

Report an accident

Temporary replacement vehicle licence

The licensing authority will issue a licence for temporary replacement vehicles if a licensed vehicle is being repaired after an accident or incident. A licence may also be issued if a vehicle is deemed unsuitable to carry members of the public.

The following procedure should be followed by the vehicle licence holder:

• if the licenced vehicle is not suitable for work purposes, the hackney carriage/ private hire plate should be removed
• photos of any damage should be taken
• an accident report form should be completed and photographs should be provided
• a Licensing Officer will contact you within 3 working days to confirm if the vehicle licence has been suspended
• details will be provided to allow you to obtain a temporary replacement vehicle - this email must be forwarded onto your insurance provider

The remaining process is completed between the insurance provider and the Licensing Hub Team. You will be contacted by your insurance provider and advised of the date your temporary plate can be collected. The replacement vehicle is usually provided at the same time.

The following procedure should be followed by the vehicle suppliers:

Before applying, ensure that:

• the replacement vehicle is similar in type and class or better than the damaged vehicle
• the vehicle cannot be licensed by another authority at the same time
• the replacement vehicle is under 4 years old and under 60,000 miles
• you have checked that the licensed driver has completed and submitted an accident report form to the licensing authority

To start the process of obtaining a replacement plate you must complete the application below and make the necessary payment. You need to upload the following documents with your application:

• V5 registration document
• full schedule of insurance cover
• letter authorising the use of the vehicle to the licensed driver/client
• hackney carriage vehicle meter calibration certificate - the approved table of fares is on the councils website
• if the vehicle has been modified an IVA certificate must be supplied

You must then contact one of the approved garages to book a vehicle compliance test. Approved garages include:

• Johnsons Garage - call 01580 890378
• Marshams Garage and MOT Centre - call 01622 200100

When booked, please contact the Licensing Hub Team to confirm the date of the compliance test. They will then agree on a date for when the vehicle will be presented for plating and handover to the licensed driver/client.

Please remind the licensed driver or client that they must hand in their existing plate to receive the replacement plate.

The replacement vehicle may be used for up to one year. It must be surrendered when the licensed driver or client’s original vehicle is returned to the fleet. If the vehicle is used for more than 6 months then a further Vehicle Compliance Test will be required. The vehicle owner will be notified a month in advance.

The licensed driver or client will need to return the replacement plate to receive their original plate.

Apply for a temporary replacement vehicle licence