Private Hire Vehicle Licence
A Private Hire Vehicle must be pre-booked with a licensed
Private Hire Operator and cannot stand on a rank or ply for
hire. Fares are not regulated and should be agreed at the
time of booking. Vehicles must also:
- display yellow plates on the front and rear of the vehicle
giving details of the operator and licence number.
- be driven by a Cheshire East licensed driver at all times,
whether or not the vehicle is working.
Apply
Please note that a vehicle licence is issued to the vehicle and
cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another.
As Private Hire vehicles are not zoned, your application can be
made to any of the Council Offices (Congleton, Crewe & Nantwich
or Macclesfield.) A small number of vehicle categories are
exempt and details are given below.
Fees
Application Evaluation Process - Vehicle Testing
Where ever you decide to make your application then you must
have your vehicle tested at either Macclesfield or Crewe, the test
includes MOT Exemption.
- Cheshire East Council Depot, Pyms Lane, Crewe, Cheshire. CW1
3PJ.
- Macclesfield MOT Testing Station, Unit 6, Pool Street,
Macclesfield, SK11 7NX
MOT Exemption
If you have a current Private Hire or Hackney Carriage vehicle
licence from Cheshire East Borough Council, you may be exempt from
an MoT. This will apply to all vehicles licensed and tested
by the former Macclesfield Borough Council and those tested at Pyms
Lane depot since the 1st of September 2009. To enable you to tax
your vehicle at the Post Office without the MoT certificate you
need to complete a V112 Declaration of exemption MoT testing form
(for more information visit the motoring section on the
Direct.Gov website).
Please remember that you must carry your vehicle licence with
you in the vehicle that it relates to as proof of MoT.
Vehicles Exempt from Licensing
From January 2008 a wide range of drivers, vehicles and
operators who were previously exempt, now need to be licensed. In
general terms these include executive hire, chauffeur services,
park and ride and stretch limousines.
Vehicles used solely for weddings and funerals remain exempt
from licensing. Any vehicle proprietor or operator who is in any
doubt about whether vehicles need to be licensed should discuss
this with the licensing service and, if necessary, seek independent
legal advice.
To apply for exemption on your Private Hire vehicle you must use
the same Private Hire vehicle application form but tick where
applicable to say that you are applying for exemption.
