Taxi Licensing
Taxi Licensing Policy
The Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy was adopted by the Licensing Committee on the 15th July 2010 coming into effect on 1st August 2010.
- Revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as amended 14/09/2011 (PDF 268Kb)
- Policy Amendment Table for revisions made on 14/09/2011 (PDF 29Kb)
About Taxi Licensing
The Council, as a Licensing Authority, must make sure that anyone wanting to drive a taxi or a private hire car (mini-cab) or operate a mini-cab business has the appropriate licences before they can carry fare paying passengers.
There are individual licences for drivers, vehicle and operators. Some drivers will have two licences enabling them to drive a private hire car (mini-cab) and a Hackney Carriage (black taxi).
Before issuing the respective licences, there is certain criteria that the Licensing Authority must ensure is met.
For drivers licences the following must be satisfied:
- he/she must be a fit and proper person to hold a licence - personal references will be sought
- he/she must be medically fit - a relevant medical certificate must be obtained
- he/she must be at least 21 years old
- he/she must have held a full drivers licence granted under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1998 or is authorised by virtue of Section 99A(1) or section 109(1) of that Act to drive, in Great Britain, a motor car
- he/she must pass a police criminality check carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to ensure safety to the public
- a 'knowledge' test of local routes must be passed to ensure job competency. As Hackney Carriage drivers work without the support of a mini-cab office, a higher degree of knowledge will be needed to pass the test.
Knowledge Test Information
The "Knowledge Test Information (KTI) Pack" details all the information you need to know about the Knowledge Test. Should you require any further information please contact the Licensing Officer (Vehicles) on 01322 343340. KTI Packs can only be downloaded or collected from the Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1DR.
For booking and appointment dates, please click here.
For vehicle licences the following documents must be presented:
- a valid MOT test certificate of less than 15 days old
- a vehicle registration certificate
- a 'hire and reward' insurance policy certificate
The vehicle will also be inspected by the Licensing Authority to ensure that it is suitable (in respect of size, design and condition) and to ensure that it carries a correct identification plate and an approved fire extinguisher.
For an operators licence to be granted, it needs to be confirmed that:
- The address from which they intend to operate is suitable. Informal planning permission should be obtained before application
- The business will not 'disturb' the ambience of the area in which it is located
- If the premises has public access, a waiting room etc, that it holds a certificate of Public Liability
A List of fees
- View a list of fees for the current year (PDF 16Kb)
Other information
All applications for licences and knowledge tests will incur a fee. Current Fees
For any other query or complaint relating to Dartford's Hackney Carriage or Private Hire services please contact the Council's Vehicle Licensing Officer on 01322 343340.
All licensed taxis will be displaying identification plates on the vehicles and an identification badge on their person. If you are in any doubt whether a taxi or its driver are licensed - do not get into the cab.
