Private Hire and Hackney Carriages

The Licensing Team at Shepway District Council is responsible for the licensing of Private Hire and Hackney Carriages vehicles and drivers in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

If you require further information concerning Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Licensing or wish to apply you can contact us by post, phone or email.

Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licences Refund Policy Following written request by licence holder refund is made for each complete calendar month remaining until expiry of licence, less £20.00 administration per refund Refund for each calendar month is calculated to reflect fee originally paid.

Any complaints regarding either a vehicle or a driver should be made to the Licensing Team using the contact details below.

Fees

As from 1 April 2008:

Drivers Licence - 2 years(including photo)	£102.00
Driver Badge replacement	£13.00
Knowledge Test	£35.00
Vehicle Licence - Grant	£220.00
Vehicle Licence - Renewal	£180.00
Vehicle Licence - Transfer	£70.00
Vehicle Plate replacement	£13.00

Private Hire Operator Licence

1-5 vehicles (per vehicle)	£49.50
6 vehicles	£243.00 (each additional vehicle £36.00)
11 vehicles	£415.00 (each additional vehicle £23.50)
over 15 vehicles	£822.00

Handbook

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Handbook

Advertising

From 1 April 2008 advertising on Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles will be permitted as follows:

all over advertising on purpose built London Hackney Carriages and advertising on the front doors of saloons and people carriers.
Approval of the advertisements must be given by the Licensing Manager.
No advertisements shall contain anything of a religious, political or sexual nature or contain any matter likely to cause offence

Increase in Taxi Fares

From 1 October 2008 fares will be increased as shown below:

MAXIMUM FARES FOR HACKNEY CARRIAGES
Tariff 1 - Distance		Waiting Time
For the first 660 yards (603 mtrs approx)	£2.70	For each 45 seconds or part thereafter	£0.25
For each 110 yards (100metres approx)	£0.10
		Cleaning Charges
1st Mile	£3.70	For soiling of interior of the vehicle	£25.00
Per Mile thereafter	£1.60
		Journeys outside Shepway area-
Tariff 2 - On all other days between Midnight and 6am		Fares to destinations outside Shepway may be negotiated
For the first 884yds(808 Mtrs approx)	£3.80	prior to the journey; if no such agreement
For each 125yards (114metres approx)	£0.20	is made the maximum fare is that shown on the meter

Extra Charge
From 6pm on Christmas Eve to Midnight on Boxing Day	Twice Tariff 1
From 6pm on New Years Eve to midnight on New Years Day	Twice Tariff 1
From 6am to Midnight on Sundays Per journey additional	£1.00
On other Bank Holidays from 6am to Midnight	£1.00

For each person in excess of one	£0.25

For each item of luggage carried outside the passenger compartment	£0.10