Replacement vehicle - hackney carriage/private hire

A hackney carriage/private vehicle can be replaced at any time during the licence period. 

You licence is at risk if you do not renew it before the date of expiry​ regardless if you are also replacing the vehicle. All renewal applications must be made and payment received 10 working days prior to the date of expiry of the licence.  Your licence is at risk if you do not renew prior to the date of expiry; a new application will need to be submitted if your licence has expired (*except in the case of hackney carriage vehicle proprietor licence). *A new application for a hackney carriage vehicle proprietor licence cannot be submitted – your licence is at risk if you do not renew it before the date of expiry regardless if you are also replacing the vehicle.

If you are buying a vehicle that has previously been licensed the application will not be able to be progressed until the previous plate is assigned to a new vehicle.

The replacement vehicle:

• Hackney carriage - must be an approved make and model under the current Manchester hackney carriage vehicle policy and must be under 14 years old.  When a vehicle is first licensed (including a replacement vehicle) it is expected to meet (and maintain) the current (**Euro 6)  Euro emission standard. This standard must be maintained throughout the period that the specified vehicle is licensed.
  *Euro 5 - Applied new passenger car approvals from 2009 - most new registrations from 2011;
  **Euro 6 - Applied new passenger car approvals from September 2014 - most new registrations from September 2015; and TX vehicles
• Swivel seats – are mandatory in all hackney carriage vehicles, if the vehicle has been retro-fitted with a swivel seat, then this must have been properly fitted and have the correct certification from Allied vehicles or garages approved by Allied vehicles;
• Private hire – can be any colour (one colour) and under the age of 5.
  • If a vehicle is presented to the Council for licensing as a private hire vehicle and is black in colour the application may be refused if the vehicle has an appearance similar to vehicles already licenced as Hackney Carriages by the Council eg Mercedes Vito and Ford ProCab.   

Write off vehicles - vehicles should not have been previously written off for insurance purposes when they are going to be used for public or private hire.  Where prior agreement is sought and approved, copies of the following must accompany the application and the originals must be produced at the garage on the day of the test.

• a report from the insurance company detailing all accident damage to the vehicle; and 
• a report from a 'Vehicle Engineer', which provides evidence that all accident damage has been inspected and has been repaired to VOSA standard.  An assessor's report is not acceptable, it must be a full engineer's report.

If you have any enquiries before purchasing a vehicle or submitting your application relating to vehicle specification, colour, age or seating arrangements, please contact the taxi licensing team on www.manchester.gov.uk/contacttaxilicensing instead of test centre directly on 0161 856 2047, 2048, 2045 or 1860.

Replacement vehicle £148 (during currency of licence) plus £60 for a vehicle test

Before you purchase a replacement vehicle you need to read the guidance on suitable vehicles.

Apply to replace your vehicle at any time during the licence period  Please read the guidance before submitting an application 

You can also renew and replace your vehicle at the same time using the online form vehicle renewal (replacement vehicle) 

Policies - these are the various policy document that you need to be aware of:

• Vehicle inspection manual;
• Hackney carriage vehicle policy

Hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are exempt from a MoT. If you require a certificate of exemption please visit the government website to obtain a V112.

Had an accident?

If you have had an accident and the hackney carriage or private hire vehicle is damaged that affects the safety, performance or appearance of the vehicle then this must be reported to us.

The owner of the hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licensed by us must report the accident. This should be done as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 72 hours.

• The log book V5C (vehicle registration document), this must be in your name and current address. A photocopy of the V5C can be provided with your application;   
• If the vehicle is BRAND NEW from a showroom, the log book V5C or invoice (Bill of Sale, will need to include the VAT number, Vehicle Vin and Engine Numbers), from the dealership AND a letter from the dealership stating the vehicle is brand new with delivery mileage only - maximum delivery mileage permitted is 200 miles;
• Write off vehicles - documentation as stated within the summary section; 
• Swivel seats - installation certificate and associated receipt;
• Preferred date and time for vehicle test appointment

Documents that must be produced at the garage - these must be original documents:

• Valid insurance certificate;
• Documentation as stated above if the vehicle has been previously categorised as a 'write-off'; and
• Swivel seat installation certification and associated receipt.

We aim to process your application within 10 working days

All private hire vehicles must:

• be less than 5 years old at the date of application and less than 7 years old if they are a hackney carriage or wheelchair accessible private hire vehicle;
• be an approved make and model;
• have maximum 6 passenger seats;
• be road taxed with DVLA and
• have valid insurance to carry fare paying passengers.