The principal legislation is the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The purpose of taxi licensing is detailed in the Department for Transport (DfT) “Taxi and Private Hire Licensing – Best Practice Guide” paragraph 8 which states:

“The aim of local authority licensing of the taxi and PHV trades is to protect the public”.

Vehicles used for hire with the services of the driver, which accommodate a maximum of up to 8 passengers, drivers of those vehicles and operators of private hire vehicles are regulated by the above legislation.

Any person who carries out Hackney Carriage or Private Hire activities without the correct licences, would be breaking the law and would not have valid insurance. This can have serious consequences for all parties involved, if an accident or incident occurs.

The legislation creates 3 types of licence:

• Vehicles (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire)
• Drivers (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire)
• Operators (Private Hire only)

Licensed drivers provide a public service. This Licensing Authority will not licence anyone to drive a Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire Vehicle unless it is satisfied that they are a "fit and proper" person.

This Licensing Authority issues 2 types of licences for drivers: a Hackney Carriage Driver licence and a Private Hire Driver licence. These are 2 separate licences and therefore if any person wishes to hold both a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licence, they are required to submit 2 separate applications.