Taxi ranks and private hire operators
Contents
Stands for hackney carriages
The Council can appoint stands for hackney carriages in South Tyneside.
We can appoint stands for the whole day or any part of the day:
- on any highway, which is maintainable at the public expense
- on private land with the consent of the owner of the land
We must give public notice of any proposals to establish or change stands, and we must consider any feedback that we get.
Private hire operators
A private hire operator's licence is needed to allow a person to accept or invite bookings for private hire vehicles.
Private hire vehicle
A private hire vehicle is a motor vehicle with eight or less passenger seats which is provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers.
Apply for a private hire vehicle licence
Premises
A private hire operator must operate from premises located within South Tyneside.
Those premises must have planning consent for use as a private hire office.
Applicants are advised to get planning consent for the premises before submitting an application for a new operator's licence.
Customer contact
Customers make initial contact with the operator by telephoning, visiting the premises or electronically in order to book a vehicle.
Once a booking is accepted by the operator a contract is made to provide a vehicle.
It is unlawful for a private hire driver to accept any bookings unless he works for a private hire operator licensed by the Council.
Apply for a private hire operator's licence
To apply for a private hire operator's licence, submit the private operator application.
Please include the fee with your application form (information about fees is included in the application form).
How the application process works:
- If you are not a licensed driver with South Tyneside Council, a DBS Disclosure certificate (basic disclosure) is needed for each partner / director. This must be no more than one month old from the date of the application. See GOV.UK: Request a basic DBS check.
- If informal advice is requested then officers from licensing, planning, engineers/highways may visit the site.
- Number of vehicles to be operated may be discussed by applicant and officers having regard to parking spaces, traffic issues, nuisance to adjacent premises etc.
- Informal advice then given to operator regarding number of vehicles likely to be approved.
- Application determined using 'fit and proper person' criteria.
- Operator licence / display licence issued.