Only vehicles approved by us, which meet all licensing conditions, will be licensed.
We do not have an approved list of private hire vehicles as each make and model is assessed individually.
Approved lists for Taxi (Hackney carriage) saloon vehicles and wheelchair accessible vehicles are available to view and download. These approved lists may be of use to you if you are wishing to purchase a vehicle as you can refer to the list to see which vehicles have previously been inspected by us and found to comply with the conditions attached to such a vehicle licence.
You are not required to purchase vehicles of the type listed however, should you purchase a vehicle which has not previously been inspected and found to comply with our conditions, that vehicle will be subject to a detailed inspection by our vehicle examiners. This is to ensure that the vehicle meets our licensing conditions and complies with the appropriate EC certificate of conformity.
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 seven years old i.e. the last licence a vehicle will be granted will be prior to its seventh year.
Before being granted a licence, the vehicle must be inspected on site to make sure your vehicle complies with MOT standards and that our licensing conditions are met.
Private hire vehicles with more than 4 passenger seats must have the seating inspected before being booked in for a vehicle inspection.
Applications for Hackney carriage transfers must be made in writing and we will 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 fee (the fee includes an HPI check) the transfer will be completed and our records updated.
I want to transfer my vehicle licence, what should I do?
If you sell or transfer your private hire vehicle licence you must inform us in writing within 14 days, stating the name and address of the person you have sold the vehicle to.
Make sure you get the plate changed from your name into their name. 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 applicable fee (the fee includes an HPI check) the transfer will be completed and our records updated.
Applications for Hackney carriage transfers must be made in writing to us.
I want to licence a new vehicle; what documentation do I need?
You must bring the following into the office – bill of sale; green new keepers slip (V5); MOT certificate; appropriate fee in cash or cheque.
I am a car rental company… how can I plate a vehicle and what do I need to do to rent vehicles to licensed drivers in Leeds?
You will need to register with us if you wish to licence a fleet of vehicles. To do this please make an appointment with our Principal Vehicle Examiner for approval. A DBS check must be undertaken. Drivers of the vehicle must be existing licence holders in the Leeds district and produce a letter of permission to use the vehicle containing both the driver and vehicle details.
The driver must also produce a valid insurance document in the rental company’s name, order a new set of door stickers (if the previous ones have been removed), display their Operator stickers and be issued with a new window disc.
What is the maximum age to licence a vehicle?
New vehicles must be less than 5 years old. Look at the date of registration on the log book to determine if the vehicle is less than 5 years old.
What do I do if I have an accident?
You must inform us, in person, within 72 hours of the accident taking place.
