Liverpool City Council - operators

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Private hire - operators

What is a private hire operators' licence?

A Liverpool private hire operator's licence allows the holder to receive bookings (by telephone or other means) and to send private hire vehicles for pre arranged hire. Both the vehicle and driver sent to complete the booking must be a licensed Liverpool private hire driver, and a Liverpool licensed private hire vehicle.

Planning permission is required purely to make sure that if your business is run from your home address, it will not cause any nuisance or obstruction to your neighbours.

 

If you need advice, contact our planning and building control department on 0151 233 3021

 

 

What type of work requires a private hire operator's licence?

Any pre-booked work, including airport transfers, hen or stag night or any other work of a similar nature. 

Vehicles with seats equipped to carry up to eight passengers should be booked via a private hire operator's licence.

 

Anything above eight passenger seats requires a licence to be obtained from V.O.S.A.  Details can be obtained by visiting their website www.vosa.gov.uk

 

 

How to get started in your own business

In order to run your operator's licence lawfully, you require the following licences

  • Private hire operator's licence
  • Private hire proprietor's licence for all vehicles involved in private hire work
  • Private hire driver's licence for all persons driving any licensed private hire vehicles
  • The address you wish to operate from is within the city of Liverpool
  • You will also be required to pay an operators licence fee of £120 per annum.

To obtain a private hire operators licence you should make an appointment to attend at the one stop shop located in the Municipal Buildings Dale Street. If you do not obtain an appointment you will not be seen. Please ring 0151 223 3015 for an appointment which you must attend in person.

Guidance notes and conditions for private hire operators can be downloaded below:

The application forms and guidance documents are available in PDF format for downloading. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents.  Find out more about this on our Help page.

If you would like this information in another language or format please ask us.
Ring 0151 225 3489/225 3480 or email us Licensing@liverpool.gov.uk