Any person who plans to take pre-bookings for the carriage of passengers in licensed private hire vehicles, or who wants to be self employed driving a private hire vehicle, must first obtain a private hire operator’s licence from the local authority.

Public Register of Private Hire Operators 

If an employer holds a private hire operator’s licence this allows employees to drive private hire vehicles without obtaining their own private hire operator’s licence.

Check the Public Register of Private Hire Operators in Bedford Borough (PDF).

New tax check code

New rules from HMRC mean that if you make an application for a private hire or hackney carriage drivers licence on or after 4 April 2022 you will need to provide us with a tax check code if you are:

• renewing a licence
• applying for the same type of licence you previously held that ceased being valid less than a year ago
• applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority

Further information is available at the Government website Changes for taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence applications from April 2022 - GOV.UK.

Before you apply for an operator licence 

Read carefully the following documents (PDFs):  

• Private Hire Operator guidance notes and application form for an individual 
• Private Hire Operator guidance notes and application form on behalf of a company
• Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy (effective from 1 June 2022) 

When you have read the guidance notes and believe that you will be able to meet the criteria for a private hire operator, you can proceed. If having read the documents you need further information please email your enquiry to us at licensing@bedford.gov.uk.

How to apply

1. Complete the relevant application form, either for an individual or on behalf of a limited company or partnership and include copies of supporting documents for all applicants. We will ask to see the original documents in due course.
2. Renewal applications must include booking records as stated in the guidance.
3. Application form and supporting documents should be delivered by hand or post to Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, MK42 9AP or by email to licensing@bedford.gov.uk.

Original right to work documentation and DBS certificate must be submitted at the Customer Service Centre for verification by a customer adviser. An application cannot be processed until the original Right to Work Documentation has been verified. 

Fees

The current fees are outlined in the fee schedule. 

Pay for a licence 

Pay for private hire operators licences

GDPR and Privacy Statements

View the full Privacy Statement for Private Hire Operator Licences

Regulation summary

Summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Contact the Licensing team

Email: Licensing@bedford.gov.uk