Apply for, or renew, a taxi vehicle licence

The application procedure for a vehicle licence is the same for either hackney carriage or private hire. Licences are issued for a maximum period of 6 months.

Hackney carriage vehicle licence

The Council has a limit of 187 Hackney Carriage vehicles within Preston. There are currently a number of vehicle licences available. 

Once a hackney carriage vehicle is licensed, the vehicle can only be driven by a hackney carriage driver, licensed by Preston City Council.

Private hire licence

There is no limit to the number of private hire vehicles licensed within Preston. Once a private hire is licensed, it can only be driven by a private hire driver, licensed by Preston City Council.

Apply for a new or renewal vehicle licence

You can apply for your new or renewal vehicle licence by completing our online form:

Apply for, or renew, a taxi vehicle licence

Vehicle licence fees

For Taxi fee costs please visit taxi licence fees.

What will I need to include in my application?

You will need to include a copy of the relevant insurance certificate.

Please note: if you are applying for your licence online and do not have a digital copy of the relevant insurance certificate, you can ask your broker to email a copy to taxilicensing@preston.gov.uk

You will need to submit a copy of pages 1 and 2 of the vehicle registration document (V5). Please email this to taxilicensing@preston.gov.uk

For all converted vehicles (wheelchair accessible) you must have either European Whole Vehicle Type Approval/Individual Type approval (IVA) or European Low Volume Type Approval. Please email this to taxilicensing@preston.gov.uk 

When will I receive my new or renewed vehicle licence?

Your licence, vehicle plates with associated materials, and any original documents will be available for collection from the Town Hall reception no later than 10 working days after we have received the following:

• vehicle licence application form (and copy of relevant insurance certificate) 
• vehicle licence fee payment
• a compliance certificate from the garage you selected for your vehicle test

Please note: you will be contacted by a licensing technician when your licence and associated materials are ready for collection from the Town Hall.

Getting your vehicle tested

You will need to make your own arrangements to have your vehicle examined and tested before we can issue you with a new or renewal vehicle licence.

There are currently four approved garages to undertake taxi vehicle examinations and tests, which are:

Clock Garage

Name: Clock Garage 
Location: 71 Longridge Road, Preston, PR2 6RH
Number: 01772 652223
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 7am - 5.30pm and Saturday: 7am -12pm

Dal Auto Dynamics

Name: Dal Auto Dynamics
Location: Unit C, D and E Alma Street, Preston, PR1 1UH
Number: 01772 254224
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5:30pm and Saturday: 9am -1pm

Frank Street Garage

Name: Frank Street Garage
Location: 72 Frank Street, Preston, PR1 1PB
Number: 01772 251200
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 2pm

Ribble Valley Service Centre Limited

Name: Ribble Valley Service Centre Limited
Address: 6 -10 Kent Street, Preston, PR1 1PJ
Number: 01772 556027
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 8am - 5.30pm and Saturday: 8.30am - 12.30pm

Please note: the garages above, will charge you a fee for this service.

What does the vehicle test include?

The vehicle will be subject to an MOT test and will also need to meet a number of extra standards required by us.

These extra testing standards are detailed in the compliance testing page.

View the Compliance Testing Standards

What happens after my vehicle has been tested?

The garage will notify us of the results of the vehicle test and if the vehicle has passed, then we will receive a compliance certificate. They may also give you a copy of the certificate, together with an MOT certificate, for your own records.

Taximeter calibration for a new hackney carriage

If you are making an application for a new hackney carriage, you will need to have the taximeter calibrated by a recognised agent and should make your own arrangements to get this done. A list of recognised agents and associated contact details can be found below:

Nadeem Latif

Address: Fulwood, Preston. 
Telephone: 07884378751
Email: acelatif@hotmail.com
Remit: Cygnus and Digitax meters

Eddy Wane

Address: RF Radio Fitter, Unit 33 Centurion Industrial Estate, Centurion Way, Farington, Leyland, Preston, PR25 4GU.
Telephone: 0772138755
email: rfradiofitter@talktalk.net
Remit: Cygnus and Viking meters

Greg Winlett

Address: RS Technology, 44 Old Mill, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6SY
Telephone: 01772 628000
Email gregw@rstechnology.co.uk
Remit: Tango meters

Please note: the meter agent will charge you a fee for this service.

Map address for Preston Town Hall

Preston Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RL.