Hackney carriage vehicle licence

Hackney carriages can be hailed on the street or picked up at a taxi rank.  Charges are based on an approved scale.

Maximum Hackney fares and charges (from 1 July 2022)

Tariff 1: between 6am and midnight

  • Start fare (for the first mile): £3.50
    • Thereafter 25p per 1/10th mile or part thereof
  • Waiting time: 30p each minute

Tariff 2: between midnight and 6am

  • Start fare (for the first mile): £5.25
    • Thereafter 37.5p per 1/10th mile or part thereof
  • Waiting time: 40p each minute

Public and Bank Holidays, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to be charged at tariff 2 all day.

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to be charged at tariff 2 from 6pm.

Luggage (excluding shopping, wheelchairs and pushchairs) outside the passenger compartment: 20p each item.

Carriage of each domestic pet, excluding guide dogs: 20p each pet.

Soiling charge: £100.00.

Surcharge per passenger for journeys more than 4 passengers: 20p each passenger over 4 passengers.

Customers are advised to check the fare charged against the meter.

Before you apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence, you must make sure that your vehicle: 

  • complies with the specification and conditions (see Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy and conditions)
  • has a taxi meter fitted 
  • has a roof sign fitted

Coming soon: Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy and conditions

How do I apply?

To apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence, you must complete a hackney carriage vehicle licence application form and return it to us along with:

  • the vehicle registration certificate (V5 / log book)
  • your current certificate of insurance 
  • certificate of compliance 
  • the licence fee
  • Mobility Tail Lift Service and Weight Test Certificate (where applicable)

Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence application (PDF, 1.3MB)

Post your application to:

Licensing Team
Denbighshire County Council
Caledfryn
Smithfield Road
Denbigh
Denbighshire
LL16 3RJ

Certificate of compliance

When you first apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence, your vehicle must pass a compliance test. This must be carried out at our licensed testing station at the Expressway Business Park, Abergele Road, Bodelwyddan LL18 5SQ. You can make an appointment by calling 01745 839244.

When you take your vehicle to be tested, it must have a taxi meter and a roof sign, and there must be a plate holder fitted on the rear of the vehicle. 

The compliance test, which includes an MOT certificate, will ensure that your vehicle meets the required standards. Vehicles new to the Denbighshire taxi “fleet” must not be over 5 years old. If your vehicle passes the compliance test, you will be given a certificate of compliance, which you must include with your licence application form.

Insurance

You must provide proof that your vehicle is suitably insured. This means you must provide an insurance certificate that covers public hire or hackney carriage plying for hire or reward. Your insurance broker will be able to advise you on getting the right insurance cover.

Granting your licence

When we have received all the paperwork, and are satisfied that your vehicle meets our requirements, we will issue the vehicle licence, along with licence plates for your vehicle.

How long is the licence valid for?

Licences are granted for a maximum period of 12 months.

How much does it cost?

Applying for a hackney carriage vehicle licence currently costs £200

View all taxi driver, vehicle and operator fees

How can I pay?

Payment can be made by card over the phone to customer services (01824 706000) or you can pay by BACS. Payment by cheque or cash is only available at one of Denbighshire’s One Stop Shops.

Payment by BACS

Our BACS details are:

  • Bank: Natwest, 5 Queen Street, Rhyl, LL18 1RS
  • Sort code: 54 41 06
  • Account number: 22837469
  • Account name: Denbighshire County Council County Fund

Please ensure that you include a reference when you are making payment i.e. name/premises/licence number (if known) together with the cost code. Once payment has been made, please send a copy of the remittance to licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Cost code

Please provide the cost code 3476-40100 when making a Hackney carriage vehicle licence payment.

Failing to provide the appropriate cost code or premises name may delay processing your application. 

Equality Act 2010

Application for an exemption from duties under the equality act 2010 (PDF, 611KB)

Welsh Government: Taxi and private hire vehicles - Equality Act medical exemption policy (external website)