St Albans Private Hire Operator Licensing Guide

St Albans Private Hire Operator Licensing: A Comprehensive Guide

Operating a private hire service in St Albans requires adherence to strict licensing regulations designed to ensure public safety, fair competition, and a high standard of service. This guide provides an in-depth look at the process for private hire operators, covering everything from initial application to ongoing compliance, with a focus on the requirements set by St Albans City and District Council. Understanding these regulations is paramount for any individual or company looking to establish or continue operating within the private hire sector in this historic city.

Applying for a Private Hire Operator Licence

To commence operations as a private hire operator in St Albans, a formal operator licence is mandatory. The application process involves submitting a comprehensive package of documents and information to the council. Key requirements include:

• A fully completed and signed operator application form.
• A Basic Disclosure Check for each applicant, demonstrating a clean criminal record.
• A recent passport-style photograph (head and neck only) of each applicant.
• A copy of your public liability insurance, a crucial safeguard for both the operator and passengers.
• A detailed list of all licensed drivers engaged or employed by your operation, along with any vehicles you intend to operate.
• Payment of the prescribed fee, which is currently £602 for a new application.
• Evidence of your, and any other applicants', right to work in the UK. This is a legal necessity, and original documentation must be presented in person to a licensing officer by appointment.

Crucially, tacit consent does not apply to operator licence applications. This means you cannot begin operating until your application has been formally granted by the council. Following submission, new applicants will be booked onto an Operator Training day, costing £90 per person. This training is essential for understanding the operational standards and legal obligations. Once all checks are successfully completed, the licence will be issued and will typically be valid for five years.

Renewing Your Operator Licence

Maintaining an active operator licence requires timely renewal. Applications for renewal must be submitted at least 28 days before the current licence expires. The renewal process mirrors the initial application in many respects, with the following documentation required:

• A completed and signed operator application form.
• Evidence of the right to work in the UK for all applicants.
• A recent Basic Disclosure Check for each applicant.
• A recent photograph of each applicant.
• A copy of your current public liability insurance.
• An updated list of licensed drivers and vehicles.
• A Certificate of completion for the Equality Act 2010 and safeguarding refresher training.
• The renewal fee, which is £680.

Similar to new applications, tacit consent does not apply to renewals. Operations must cease if the licence expires without a granted renewal. Post-application, relevant checks will be conducted, and if successful, the licence will be renewed for a further five-year period.

Mandatory Tax Checks for Renewals

A significant change introduced from 4th April 2022 mandates that licensing authorities conduct tax checks for renewal applications. This applies to various licences, including private hire vehicle operator licences. To process a renewal, a valid Tax Check code must be provided. This code is obtained by completing a simple tax check on the GOV.UK website using a Government Gateway account. It is advisable to create a Government Gateway account in advance. The Tax Check code remains valid for 120 days, so obtaining it in good time before your renewal is recommended. The council will not have access to your specific tax information during this process.

Vehicle Licensing Requirements

Beyond operator licensing, each vehicle used for private hire must also be licensed by St Albans City and District Council. The requirements are stringent and detailed in the council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Vehicle Specifications and Testing

• Emissions Standards: For initial applications, vehicles must meet or exceed Euro 6 emissions standards.
• Window Tints: Manufacturer-fitted tints are acceptable, but any additional tints applied after manufacture are not permitted.
• Identification Plates: The licence identification plate must be permanently affixed to the offside rear of the vehicle, ensuring clear visibility from the rear.
• Vehicle Ownership: Vehicles already licensed by another licensing authority will not be licensed by St Albans.
• Testing: Vehicles require a current MOT pass certificate and a Certificate of Compliance from a nominated testing facility. The Certificate of Compliance must be dated no earlier than one month prior to the licence commencement. Vehicles under one year old are exempt from the MOT requirement. All vehicles undergo annual testing (MOT and Compliance Test) until they reach seven years of age, after which they require six-monthly Certificate of Compliance tests. Any MOT advisories related to tyres or brakes must be rectified before a licence is granted. The council may also conduct its own inspections.

Application for a New Vehicle Licence

The process for licensing a new vehicle includes:

• A completed application form.
• Vehicle MOT and Certificate of Compliance certificates.
• A copy of the vehicle insurance, specifically covering hackney carriage or private hire work.
• Vehicle Logbook (V5).
• A meter calibration certificate (if applicable), confirming it's set to the council's tariff, and evidence of a printer connection.
• The licence fee, which is £282 for a new vehicle.
• Evidence of card payment facilities.
• A Basic Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (unless already licensed with St Albans Council).

Upon submission of all required documents via email to [email protected], the council will contact you to arrange a vehicle inspection. Once inspected and processed, licence plates will be posted.

Vehicle Licence Renewal and Transfers

Vehicle licence renewals are handled electronically, requiring scanned or photographed documents to be emailed. This includes the renewal form, insurance certificate, V5 logbook, MOT and COC certificates, photos of the vehicle (interior and exterior, including no smoking signs and wheelchair access details), and evidence of card payment facilities. The renewal fee is £263 (or £203 for full electric vehicles). Transferring a vehicle requires a complete application similar to a new application, with a fee of £149. Transfer of ownership also requires a specific application, including a letter from the previous owner, with a fee of £128.

Equality Act 2010 and Disabled Persons

St Albans City and District Council places significant emphasis on the accessibility and inclusivity of its private hire services, particularly concerning disabled passengers. The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 amends the Equality Act 2010, introducing new duties for drivers and operators.

• Driver Duties: Drivers of designated wheelchair-accessible vehicles must carry wheelchair users, not charge extra for this service, carry the wheelchair if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, ensure safety and comfort, and provide reasonable mobility assistance. All drivers, regardless of vehicle type, must accept any disabled person, provide reasonable mobility assistance, and carry mobility aids without extra charge. They must also assist disabled passengers in identifying the vehicle upon request, at no extra cost.
• Operator Duties: Private hire operators must accept bookings for disabled persons if a suitable vehicle is available.
• Exemptions: Drivers can apply for exemption certificates on medical grounds or if their physical condition prevents them from performing mobility assistance duties. However, any exemption only applies to mobility assistance duties and does not permit charging disabled passengers more.
• Assistance Dogs: Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles are legally required to carry assistance dogs with their owners. Refusing to do so, or charging extra for their carriage, is an offence.

Failure to comply with these duties can result in prosecution, licence suspension, or revocation. Operators and drivers are encouraged to contact the licensing team immediately if they believe they or their drivers are medically or physically unfit to perform these duties.

Deregulation Act 2015: Private Hire Subcontracting

The Deregulation Act 2015 introduced changes to how private hire bookings can be subcontracted. Operators licensed in St Albans can now subcontract bookings to operators licensed in other council areas. However, a crucial stipulation is that any subcontracted booking must be completed by a vehicle and driver licensed by the *same* council that the operator receiving the subcontracted booking is licensed by. For instance, a Watford operator subcontracting to a St Albans operator means the job must be done by a St Albans-licensed driver and vehicle. Conversely, a St Albans operator subcontracting to a Watford operator requires a Watford-licensed driver and vehicle. St Albans licensed drivers can only accept bookings from St Albans licensed operators and can only drive vehicles licensed by St Albans City and District Council. Subcontracting work to operators in other areas requires proper record-keeping for each booking.

Fees and Charges

The licensing fees are structured to cover the administrative and regulatory costs. Key fees include:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I operate a private hire vehicle in St Albans without an operator licence?
No, it is illegal to operate as a private hire operator without a valid licence granted by St Albans City and District Council.

Q2: How long is a private hire operator licence valid for?
A new or renewed operator licence is typically valid for five years.

Q3: What happens if my operator licence renewal is late?
Tacit consent does not apply, meaning you cannot operate. You must have your renewal granted before your current licence expires. It is advisable to apply at least 28 days in advance.

Q4: Do I need to complete training as a private hire operator?
Yes, new operators must attend an Operator Training day (£90). Refresher training on the Equality Act 2010 and safeguarding is also required for licence renewals (£40).

Q5: Can my vehicle be licensed in another council area and still operate in St Albans?
No, vehicles must be licensed by St Albans City and District Council to operate within the district. Vehicles licensed by other authorities will not be licensed by St Albans.

Q6: What are the requirements for carrying disabled passengers?
Operators and drivers have specific duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022, including accepting disabled passengers, providing mobility assistance, and not charging extra. You must ensure your vehicles and drivers are compliant.

Q7: Where can I find the official Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy?
The policy documents are available on the St Albans City and District Council website, providing detailed guidelines and standards for all licensees.

By thoroughly understanding and adhering to these regulations, private hire operators in St Albans can ensure a compliant, safe, and reputable service for the community.

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