The Licensing Team is responsible for the licensing and regulation of hackney carriages (also known as Taxis) in the borough.
There are currently 61 hackney carriages in Basingstoke. These vehicles generally look like London style cabs and all have an illuminated “TAXI” sign on the roof. Taxis can be hailed in the street or they can be hired at any taxi rank in the borough. The council currently limits the number of hackney carriages in the town and the fares charged.
Hackney Carriages are the subject of strict licensing rules, regulations and byelaws to ensure that they remain fit for the purpose. Regular mechanical safety checks are carried out and they are also subject to tests on their appearance and cleanliness. Public safety is paramount and only cars meeting the strict standards are licensed. All Hackney Carriages are adapted to take standard wheelchairs, however not all vehicles can safely carry electric wheelchairs.
If you ever have cause to complain about a Hackney Carriage driver or vehicle please contact the Licensing Team on 01256 844844 or email
licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk
Licensing of Hackney Carriage drivers
Hackney Carriage drivers are licensed annually by the council. As part of this process they are required to undergo a medical check every five years and a criminal records check every three years. The council can ask for additional checks where necessary. All drivers have to be determined as being fit and proper to act as a Hackney Carriage driver.
If you wish to apply for a hackney carriage driver's licence you can download the forms below. Please contact the Licensing Team for further advice or if you have any queries about completing the forms.
The forms and information on licensing fees can be downloaded below
Driver checks
All applicants will need to demonstrate that they are authorised to work in the UK before an application may be considered. Evidence of eligibility to work in the UK will be required where it applies. Further information can be obtained from www.workingintheuk.gov.uk or www.workpermit.com. Identification documents may be scanned and forwarded to the Home Office for verification.
All applicants for hackney carriage and private hire driver licences must provide evidence of their suitability to hold a licence. These checks include the following:
An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check or equivalent.
Taxi and Private Hire drivers are required to provide evidence of their criminal history. Applicants from the UK can do this through submitting a CRB form through the Licensing Team. Reports can take from 2 to 12 weeks to be returned.
Non UK applicants including those who have resided outside the UK must provide a signed and sealed 'Statement of Good Conduct' from the embassy of all the relevant countries in which they were born or have resided.
All relevant convictions whether spent or unspent can be considered by the Licensing Team and further evidence of circumstances surrounding convictions may be sought prior to considering an application.
Driving History
All applicants must provide evidence of their driving history. For UK applicants holding a full DVLA driving licence, this check is carried out with the DVLA. Holders of non DVLA issued licences must first register their licence with the DVLA and obtain a Counterpart licence issued by them.
Medical status
All applicants must be checked by a GP at the surgery where they are registered using a medical form issued by the council. All applicants are required to meet their DVLA Group 2 standard. Medical forms are then assessed by the council's medical advisor.
If you have any questions about a medical condition that may affect your suitability, please contact the Licensing Team first where you can have a confidential discussion prior to paying for the medical. Alternatively look at DVLA Medical for further information.
All applicants are required to undergo these check to ensure a consistent standard is being maintained and to ensure an equal level of suitability checks for all applicants.
Knowledge Test
New applicants for Hackney Carriage driver's licences must pass a knowledge test to demonstrate a working knowledge of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane and the hackney carriage trade. The test is in five sections, all of which must be successfully completed:
Section 1: An understanding of general driving
Section 2: Hackney Carriage regulations and the carriage of disabled persons
Section 3: Basic English and basic numeracy test
Section 4: Geographical knowledge - written test
Section 5: Geographical knowledge - verbal test
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Hackney Wheelchair Enhanced Assessment Test
Applicants are required to supply evidence that they have successfully completed the DSA Assessment test including the wheelchair exercise. Applicants are responsible for providing a suitable vehicle and insurance.
Further information can be found at DSA Taxi Test
If you have any questions about these checks please contact a member of the team on 01256 844844 or email licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk
Please find below the forms and conditions for Hackney Carriage driver and vehicle applications. These are not online application forms; they are for downloading and printing only and should be posted to the Council complete with all the relevant enclosures:
