Apply for a private hire operator's licence

To invite or accept bookings for private hire vehicles you must have a private hire operator's licence.

A private hire vehicle is defined as being 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.

An operator must operate from premises within North Tyneside. Those premises must have planning consent for use as a private hire office. 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 a booking unless it has first been made through a private hire operator licensed by the Council.

Private hire operators are legally permitted to sub-contract or outsource a booking to another licensed private hire operator.

Private hire operators are required to provide evidence that they have had sight of a Basic DBS check on all booking/despatch staff working for them.