Hackney carriage taxi and private vehicle licence

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Taxis can only operate in a particular zone. The zones within Cornwall reflect the boundaries of the previous district and borough councils. If you would like to view the taxi zones on a map, please use our Interactive Mapping. To see the taxi zones please use the “Map Layers” tool to tick the box next to the “Transport & Streets” group and the “Taxi zones” layer within it.

The Council’s previous policy of limiting the number of Hackney Carriages in the Carrick, Restormel and Penwith taxi zones was removed on 17 January 2023.

There are six hackney carriage zones in Cornwall. All of which have individual tariffs which set out the maximum fees which can be charged and can be found below.

To licence a hackney carriage, two licences are required. Each vehicle must have:

a hackney carriage vehicle licence which you apply for below
and every driver of those licensed vehicles must have a hackney carriage driver licence

There is no limit on the number of Private Hire vehicle licences issued. They are not restricted to operating in certain zones and are free to operate across the whole County.

To license a private hire vehicle, at least two licences are required.

Each vehicle must have a private hire vehicle licence which you can apply for below
and every driver of those licensed vehicles must have a private hire driver licence
In addition, all self employed and employer private hire businesses must hold a private hire operator licence.

We require vehicles to meet certain specifications and conditions before they are licensed. Full details are found within the following document:

Cornwall Council's Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle, Operator and Driver Licensing Policy

Vehicles are also required to be tested at one of the Council's approved garages.

There are separate:

If you are unsure whether your vehicle will meet the policy, please contact Licensing Services.

How to apply for a licence

Please refer to the application guidance before submitting an application.

Please use our new online web form to apply for a Grant (new), Renewal, Change of Vehicle or Temporary Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle Licence:

Apply online

Please note, after you have submitted your application, you will also be asked to submit supporting documents, such as MOT, Vehicle Registration Document and Insurance

If you are not the sole proprietor of the vehicle, you will need to complete the HC PH Vehicle - Proprietorship Form and upload it with your supporting documents.

Transfer

To notify a Transfer (change of proprietor) of Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle, the new proprietor should complete the below form and email to licensing@cornwall.gov.uk :-

HC PH Vehicle - Transfer form

Variation

To apply for a Variation (e.g. alteration to seating capacity/configuration) of a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle, please complete the below and email to licensing@cornwall.gov.uk :-

HC PH Vehicle - Variation application form

Fees

Private Hire and Hackney Carriages	Fee (2025-2026)
Drivers - Single or Dual (Hackney Carriage or Private Hire or both). Hackney Carriage Driver can apply for multiple taxi zones. This doesn't result in extra charge on grant or renewal.
1 Year	£220
2 Year	£270
3 Year	£355
Upgrade to Dual from Single Driver.	£120
Hackney Carriage Driver Licence for extra Taxi Zones.	£120
DBS (Enhanced) (or charge as per Disclosure and Barring Service)	£70 from (Includes £10.50 admin fee and £10 fee for on-line countersigning)
Fee for submitting on-line DBS on behalf of the applicant – if resources available.	£15
Fee for obtaining DVLA check code for sharing driving licence. Only when applicant has no access to internet or phone. Applicant MUST give consent to do so.	£5
English language test (if required) Re-test (per test)	£15 £5
Replacement Badge (temporary badge, if original lost or due to change of details)	£25
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - posted.	£20
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - emailed	£10
Vehicles
Vehicle Licence – Standard – 1 year only – plus additional charge as appropriate	£320
Vehicle Transfer – Change of Vehicle/ Change of Licence	Full fee less £19 for each complete month left on licence
Vehicle Transfer – Ownership	£75
Licensing Temporary vehicle – maximum of 2 months	£125
Licensing of Temporary vehicle – where vehicle being used is already licensed as a HC or PH – maximum of 2 months	£65
Replacement Plate (MOGO)	£35
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - posted.	£20
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - emailed.	£10
Replacement Tariff	£4
Replacement Tariff – Laminated	£6
Alterations to licence (such as changes to seating capacity or registration number etc.) Note: Fee is £65 if vehicle inspection not required. Cost of new plate is payable in addition.	£125
Private Hire Operators
1 year	£170
3 year	£295
5 year	£480
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - posted.	£20
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - emailed	£10
Horse Drawn Omnibuses Vehicles
Vehicle Licence – Per annum	As per standard vehicle licences as detailed above
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - posted.	£20
Replacement, duplicate or re-issue of document - emailed.	£10
Replacement Plate	£35
Carriage Inspection Charge	Re-charged at cost.