Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Service Standards
When an application is submitted via email or online through the new online application system it may take up to three working days for the email / online form to be allocated to an officer to check the form and documents. The timescales shown below will commence after the third day from the date the email / online application was received.
| Process | Expected Timescales (working days) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| New driver application | 10 working days *This will be following receipt of the DBS certificate. DBS's can take up to 12 weeks to be returned. |
Prior to submission of an application to become a new driver an applicant will be required to complete and pass all of the training modules. An application will be returned to an applicant if they have not produced all of the required documentation to evidence all training requirements have been completed and passed at the time of submission. |
| Driver renewal application | 10 working days *This timescale relates to applications that do not require a DBS and until all applicants have signed up to the online DBS service. The DBS may take up to 12 weeks to be returned | An application will be returned to an applicant if not complete/valid and with the required documents. It is advised that an application be submitted 12 weeks prior to the expiry of the licence. |
| New vehicle application | 5 working days | Prior to submission of an application the vehicle will be required to have a compliance test at one of the council's testing stations. The application is required to be complete/valid and all required documents submitted. Failure to submit a complete application will result in the application being returned to the applicant. |
| Vehicle renewal application | 5 working days | An application will be returned to an applicant if not complete/valid and with the required documents. Prior to renewal the vehicle will be required to pass the council's compliance test at one of the Council's testing stations. The compliance test can be carried out up to a month prior to the expiry of the licence and it is advised that a renewal application be submitted no later the two weeks prior to the expiry of the licence. |
| Vehicle transfer application | 5 working days | The application is required to be complete/valid, and all required documents submitted. Failure to submit a complete application will result in the application being returned to the applicant. |
| New private hire operator application | 10 working days *This will be following receipt of the DBS certificate (where required). DBS's can take up to 12 weeks to be returned. | The application is required to be complete/valid, and all required documents submitted. Failure to submit a complete application will result in the application being returned to the applicant. |
| Private hire operator renewal application | 10 working days *This will be following receipt of the DBS certificate (where required). DBS's can take up to 12 weeks to be returned. | The application is required to be complete/valid, and all required documents submitted. Failure to submit a complete application will result in the application being returned to the applicant. It is advised that the renewal application be submitted up to 12 weeks prior to expiry. |
| Driver Training | 2 to 4 weeks | All new driver applicants are required to undertake and pass driver training and testing modules prior to the submission of their application. You can expect to get an appointment within 2 to 4 weeks of contacting the test providers. This timescale will be regularly reviewed to ensure the length of time it takes to get an appointment is not exceeding the expected timescales. |
| Vehicle Compliance Test | 2 Weeks | All new vehicles are required to pass a vehicle compliance test, and once licenced this test is an annual requirement. The average waiting time for an appointment is 1 to 2 weeks. This timescale will be regularly reviewed to ensure the length of time it takes to get an appointment is not exceeding the expected timescales. Although the test cannot be carried out over a month in advance you are advised to contact the Council's transport service in order to book your appointment 4 to 6 weeks prior to the expiry of your licence to ensure that your vehicle passes its compliance test and allows enough time for the licensing service to process your application. |
Conditions
*Renewal Applications only - Failure to submit the application completed with all of the required documents in a timely manner may result in licence's expiring prior to renewal applications being processed. The applicant will not be licenced at this time and will be unable to work.
*DBS Applications - The DBS is carried out by the DBS service, any delay in the return of DBS certificates to the applicants will need to be addressed by the applicant directly with the DBS service. The Council has no control over this third-party process.
Contact Licensing
- Kirklees Licensing Service
- Address Flint Street Depot, Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield, HD1 6LG
- Phone 01484 456868
- Email licensing@kirklees.gov.uk
Contact Driver Training
- Address Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield, HD1 6LG
- Phone 01484 221000 and ask for extension 75286
- Email drivertraining@kirklees.gov.uk