Taxi licences

South Cambridgeshire District Council's licensing service issues licenses to allow the operation of a private hire service within the district. By licensing, and regularly checking, the drivers, operators and vehicles, the council is able to ensure that the public are offered as safe a service as possible.

Private Hire driver

What is the licence for?

Private hire vehicles can only undertake pre-booked work. Almost all vehicles in the South Cambridgeshire district are private hire, as the district does not contain taxi ranks. The licence allows the licencee to undertake pre-booked business.

For further information, please refer to the Private Hire and Taxi Licences Handbook, a guidance booklet for all drivers, operators and vehicle proprietors.

How long does the licence last?

The licence is valid for 3 years

What is the charge for the licence?

There is a fee for a Private Hire Driver licence.

How to apply

You can request an application pack from the licensing service.

Hackney Carriage driver

What is the licence for?

Hackney Carriage taxis can tout for business and undertake pre-booked business. The licence allows the licencee to drive a Hackney Carriage taxi.

How long does the licence last?

The licence is valid for 3 years

What is the charge for the licence?


There is a fee for a Hackney Carriage Driver licence.

How to apply


You can request an application pack from the licensing service.

Operator licence

What is the licence for?

If you wish to run a company offering taxi services you will need a licence to do so.

How long does the licence last?

The licence is renewable annually

What is the charge for the licence?

There is a fee for an Operator licence.

How to apply

You can request an application pack from the licensing service.

Vehicle licence

What is the licence for?

A vehicle used as a taxi/private hire vehicle has to be road worthy and meet standards of safety and access. Vehicles over 12 months old are required to have an MOT that MUST have 3 months left to run on it when the vehicle is tested at the Council depot.

How long does the licence last?

The vehicle must be tested every year.

What is the charge for the licence?

There is a fee for a vehicle licence.

How to apply

You can request an application pack from the licensing service.