Before we grant a vehicle licence, we must ensure that the vehicle meets our policy. All applications will be assessed against our vehicle requirement policy before it is approved.

Before you apply

Make sure that you check our approved vehicle list and our vehicle requirements before making any financial commitments to the purchase any vehicle.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the vehicle meets these standards.

Requirements for new and replacement vehicles

All vehicles used as hackney carriages and private hire vehicles must:

• be 5 years old or less
• have no more than 60,000 miles on the clock
• meet the Euro 6 emission standard or equivalent
• be capable of transporting at least 4 passengers
• have a rear seating width of approximately 1,220mm
• boot capacity shall be no less than 370 litres
• not be any category of insurance write off

Any wheelchair accessible vehicles must:

• meet Euro 6 emissions standard or equivalent.
• have less than 100,000 miles on the clock
• Approved WAV conversion certificate or Multistage (stage 2 verification plate) build plate that is complete and legible
• meet the government's minimum wheelchair space standard of 1350mm high, 700mm wide and 1200mm long
• not be any category of insurance write off

Hackney carriages

All new licences for hackney carriages must be wheelchair accessible.

Replacement vehicles for the designated WAV hackney carriages already licenced must remain wheelchair accessible.

All other existing licenced hackney carriages can be replaced as usual.

The livery for all new or replacement hackney carriages is white with a 75 to 85 mm blue reflective stipe with either:

• Bournemouth
• Christchurch
• Poole

Written in white 25 mm Eurostile lettering on the near and offsite rear quarter panels.

We have guidance for livery and position of stickers available.

New livery stickers for the bonnet and front doors will be issued with the new plate and licence.

Private hire vehicles

We will not issue new or replacement private hire licences to any white vehicles.

DBS checks

If the vehicle licence applicant is not a driver licensed by us, you must provide a Basic DBS certificate from the UK Government.

If the applicant is a company or partnership, each director and partner must provide a basic DBS certificate. Certificates must be dated within the 12 months prior to application for new applications, or 12 months prior to licence expiry for renewal applications.

If the DBS certificate contains disclosure information, a hearing may be required to be held to determine whether the individual is fit and proper to hold a licence, prior to the licence being granted.

How to apply

Before you start your application online, you must have the following documents ready:

• proof of purchase, bill of sale or V5c/Vehicle Registration Document
• Mechanical Examination Certificate (MEC) issued by one of our approved designated testing centres
• MoT certificate (if applicable)
• valid insurance certificate
• DBS certificate, if the applicant is not a BCP Council licensed driver

If you are applying for a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence, you must also have the following documents ready: 

• a certificate of conformance, or confirmation it has a Multistage (stage 2 verification plate) build plate
• driver wheelchair accessible training certificates for all drivers operating the vehicle link to trainers
• Loler Test certificate for any mechanical winch or ramps
• a basic DBS check for any proprietors named on the form if they are not currently licenced drivers

If your vehicle does not meet the requirements of our policy your licence will be rejected. The application fee is non-refundable.

Complete our online application form by clicking the button below.

If approved you will receive a confirmation email within 4 working days which authorises you to book a mechanical examination at one of our testing centres.

Please do not contact the Council Depot to book an MEC test until you have received an authorisation email from the Licensing team.