New private hire vehicle licence

Vehicles must not have been written off for insurance purposes.

A private hire vehicle (PHV) is either a saloon, hatchback or multi purpose vehicle (MPV) using petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric or LPG fuel.

They can carry a maximum 8 passengers and must be pre-booked with an operator and driven by a private hire driver licensed by us.

A PHV can be any colour (one colour) and less than 10 years old (must be less than 9 to have a full 12 month plate as vehicles must come off at 10) display front and rear ID plates and carry approved stickers and is subject to inspection at our Gorton test centre before a licence is issued. 

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.  

If you have any enquiries relating to vehicle specification, colour, age or seating arrangements, please email taxi licensing at www.manchester.gov.uk/contacttaxilicensing

These fees do not include the cost of vehicle tests and any plates, stickers, other consumables or notice fees.

New application

• Current fee £148

Renewal application

• Current fee £144

Variation (replacement) and renewal application

• Current fee £162

Vehicle test fees - charged in addition to the above application fees

• Vehicle is less than 3 years of age - compliance tests one per year £60
• Vehicle is more than 3 and less than 8 years old - compliance tests two per year £120
• Vehicle is more than 8 years old - compliance tests three per year £180

• Private hire vehicle application
• Guidance notes
• Vehicle Inspection Manual 
• Age and Emissions Policy

Hackney carriage and Private hire vehicles are exempt from MOT testing. If you need a certificate of exemption please visit the government website to get a V112.

• A photocopy of the log book V5C (vehicle registration document) should be provided with your application. The log book must show your full name and current address; if you cannot supply the V5C you must supply a formal invoice with both the VIN and Engine numbers on it.
• Preferred date and time for vehicle test appointment; and
• Original valid insurance certificate and you must obtain stickers from the Operator you will be going to work for.

How long does it take?

All private hire vehicles must:

• be less than 10 at the date of application and less than 15 if they are a wheelchair accessible private hire vehicle;
• be a 4 door saloon, hatchback, MPV or estate with right hand drive;
• have no more than 8 passenger seats; be road taxed with DVLA;
• Seats will only be licensed where the seat in front does not needed to be "tipped"/moved  to gain access to it
• have valid insurance to carry fare paying passengers;
• fitted with an approved taxi meter;
• display front and rear ID plates;
• carry approved stickers.

View the public register