Approved vehicles
Only vehicles approved by the taxi and private hire licensing section, and meet all licensing conditions, will be licensed.
The taxi and private hire licensing section do not have an approved list of private hire vehicles as each make and model is assessed individually with reference to the current licensing conditions. Please contact us to arrange an appointment with a vehicle examiner to discuss the approval process.
Please see the approved lists for Hackney carriage saloon vehicles and wheelchair accessible vehicles on the right hand side of this page.
Age criteria
Before investing in a vehicle remember to check the age of the vehicle. Only vehicles up to five years old will be licensed.
Vehicle licences will only be renewed up to eight years old i.e. the last licence a vehicle will be granted will be prior to its eighth year. This is determined by the date of first registration on the registration certificate.
Vehicle inspection
Before being granted a vehicle licence, the vehicle must be inspected on site by one of our vehicle examiners. The vehicle examiners will make sure your vehicle complies with MOT standards and that certain criteria are met, as set out in the current licensing conditions.
Please note any private hire vehicle with more than 4 passenger seats must have the seating inspected before being booked in for a vehicle inspection. This is to ensure they meet the council’s criteria.
Transfer of Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence
You must put applications for Hackney carriage transfers in writing to the taxi and private hire licensing section who will issue an acknowledgment letter advising you to contact the licensing office to make an appointment for an interview with the licensing manager, or their nominee. The interview requires the attendance of both the current licensed proprietor and the proposed new owner.
When transferring a private hire vehicle the proprietor is required by law to notify the council in writing within fourteen days of such transfer. The new owner must provide part 2 of the V5 Registration document, bill of sale and a completed notice of transfer form. When we have received the relevant documentation and £20 fee the transfer will be completed and the taxi and private hire licensing records updated.
The taxi and private hire licensing section strongly advises applicants to undertake a HPI before purchasing a vehicle, to ensure that the vehicle has not been involved in an accident and subsequently been declared a total loss. It is also recommended that, prior to purchase, the vehicle undertakes a vehicle examination at the taxi and private hire licensing section to ensure it complies with Leeds City Council’s licensing conditions.
Existing licensed drivers wishing to HPI a vehicle before they buy can have the check carried out by the taxi and private hire licensing section for a £30 fee.