Vehicle licence

Before submitting your application the following documents are needed for a new application: 

• a copy of your full vehicle registration document (V5C) or proof of ownership (this can be in the form of a receipt for payment of the vehicle). The V5C must be in the name of the person applying for a licence. If you can only submit the V5C’s green slip, then we would also need proof of ownership/payment as well 
• MOT certificate and certificate of compliance - they must be less than 1 month old when you make your application and issued by one of our approved garages 
• insurance certificate - this certificate must cover hire and reward 
• basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check document is needed for non-driver applicants  
• CCTV installation certificate – this must be from one of our CCTV approved suppliers. 

We will contact you if your application is missing any information or documents.  

To renew your licence you should allow 21 days for your application to be processed. 

If a vehicle licence has expired and you apply after the expiry date then this will be treated as a new application for a licence.

When we have processed and approved your application, we will issue you with the licence. We will order the licence plate and signs needed for you from our supplier.  

Once we make the order, this usually takes around 7 days to be delivered to your home address. 

When you get your licence  

An internal vehicle notice must be displayed clearly in the front windscreen of the vehicle.  

Hackney carriages must: 

• display a white licence plate at the rear of the vehicle 
• display fare card  

Private hire vehicles must: 

• display a yellow licence plate at the back of the vehicle (unless exempt) 
• display door signs on the passenger doors, where it can be easily seen 
• the name and telephone number of the operator must be shown on the driver and front passenger door  

Zero-emission vehicles are those that emit no emissions. These include battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicles.

A licence will only be granted if it is Euro 6 compliant, or the vehicle falls into the zero or ultra-low emissions category. 

By no later than 1 December 2028, all licensed private hire and hackney carriage vehicles must be zero or ultra-low emission. This aspect will be kept under review and may be modified by us before December 2028. 

Ultra-low emission vehicles

These are plug-in hybrid vehicles or Extended Range Electric Vehicles (E-REV) with CO2 emissions less than 75g per km.

Zero-emission vehicles

These emit no emissions. These include battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicles.

The garages currently approved to carry out these inspections are:

If there is a fault with the CCTV system then this must be reported to us within 24-hours. If the fault is not fixed within 5 working days, the vehicle will be suspended (out of use) until the CCTV system is fully working. 

All hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, except for exempt vehicles, must have CCTV cameras fitted into the vehicle. These must be in line with our CCTV specifications [PDF, 0.2MB] [JPG, 4MB], and must be supplied and fitted in by one of our approved suppliers below:  

4eyez Taxi CCTV Systems 
Telephone: 0114 299 8694 
Email: bookings@4eyez.co.uk.

CabCams/AC Security Systems 
Telephone: 0208 391 8360
Email: sales@acss-uk.co.uk

S.A.F.E. Systems CCTV
Telephone: 01706 551212
Email: info@safesystemscctv.co.uk
Appointments available within 2 weeks of booking

MCD Security Systems 
Telephone: 01274 271 888
Email: sales@mcdsecurity.co.uk

Fees

• CCTV unit prices start at around £400 to £500. 
• Installation costs range from £100.  

Some suppliers are able to provide finance or can supply rental options. 

More information: 

• CCTV Passenger Privacy Notice April 2023 [PDF, 0.1MB] [PDF, 15Kb] 
• CCTV In Taxis And PHV Standard Operating Procedure [PDF, 61Kb] 

There are currently a very small number of Tesla vehicles licensed which are owned/leased by Otto Cars which have had CCTV installed previously. Otto will remain the data controller for these vehicles, and we will have access to any data subject to specific incidences as referred to in the privacy notice [PDF, 0.1MB] [PDF, 15Kb]. 

You’ll need to contact Cambridgeshire County Council Parking Services with a copy of your vehicle licence, so you can access the bus lanes and bus gates whilst working in Cambridge City Centre. 

You can contact them by emailing parkingservices@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

You’ll need to tell the Parking Services department if you change your vehicle, even temporarily, and when you renew your vehicle licence. 

Licensed taxi are permitted to use Bus lane & Gate within Cambridge City however vehicles will need to be registered as a licensed taxi with the Parking Control team. 

Private hire vehicles without a licence plate may include: 

• chauffeurs/ prestige-type services (for example limousines) 
• carrying out a pre-existing, written contract (pre-existing meaning signed at least 10 working days before the dates of hire) 
• providing a regular service (whether to a person or to a business) 

A plate exempt vehicle does not require any signage or CCTV.  

In order to apply for plate exemption an applicant must complete and submit the private hire vehicle plate exemption declaration form [PDF, 30Kb] [PDF, 30Kb].

If you have an executive vehicle exemption, you must not use the vehicle for standard private hire work – doing so may lead to your licence being revoked. 

You can only work under an operator that is verified by us that only undertakes chauffeur/prestige type services. Operator licences can be verified by emailing taxis@scambs.gov.uk. 

Regulations require that we submit details about your vehicle and licence to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).