Private hire operators licence

A private hire operators licence is required in order to be able to accept bookings for private hire vehicles. If you are a vehicle proprietor you may work for any existing operator. However, if you wish to apply for your own licence to operate from premises which will be used as a booking office, you need to contact the Council's Planning Department as planning permission may be required.

An operators licence lasts for a maximum of 5 years and there is no additional charge for having multiple vehicles on your licence.

Application form and conditions

How to apply

If it is your intention to apply for a private hire operators licence please submit your completed application and required documentation by email. Once submitted please call 0300 123 5015 to pay the required fee.

Alternatively, you can post your application to the Licensing Team. Please do not send original documents unless requested by an officer, copies will be accepted providing information is not missing and is clear. Once posted please call 0300 123 5015 to make payment.

Documents required to apply

You are required to provide the following documents:

Tax Conditionality

From 4 April 2022, the government have introduced new tax checks that require councils to undertake Tax Conditionality checks when processing applications for private hire operator licences.

This has been brought in via the Finance Act 2021, which contains a clause that has introduced the Tax Conditionality checks to certain licence applications. The check is solely to confirm that you are registered for tax and does not give any financial details to the Council.

You will be required to produce a tax code if you’re:

  • renewing a licence
  • applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that ceased to be valid less than a year ago
  • applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority

For guidance and details on how to obtain a tax code please visit the GOV.UK Complete a tax check webpage.

Fees and Conditions

Make a change to your licence

If you wish to make a change to your licence such as changing the company name or increase the number of licensed vehicles operating under your licence please email your request to the Licensing Team. 

Contact us

Contact Licensing

licensing@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Call our Licensing Customer Service Team on 0300 123 5015 during office hours, 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, if you're unable to use our forms.


Licensing Team
Cheshire East Council

Regulatory Services and Health C/O
Delamere House, Delamere Street

Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 2LL

Page last reviewed: 14 November 2022