Private hire operator licences

If you want to take bookings for a private hire journey in Lichfield District, in addition to your vehicle licence, you will need apply for a private hire operator's licence.

All of your drivers will need to be personally licensed as taxi drivers. If you wish to drive one of the vehicles yourself, you will also need to be personally licenced as a taxi driver - find out more about taxi driver licences

Please note:

  • You do not need an operator's licence if you are solely operating hackney carriages that customers can hire at a taxi rank or hail in the street, and are fitted with a meter.

Tax check

From 4 April 2022 applicants will need to confirm they have completed a tax check and the 9 character Tax check code must be provided as part of the application process for renewal applications or new applications that have held a similar licence within the last 12 months. Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence.

  • HMRC has powers to obtain information from Licensing Authorities using ‘Schedule 23 to Finance Act 2011 (Data Gathering Powers) and Schedule 36 to Finance Act 2008 (Information and Inspection Powers), grants HMRC powers to obtain relevant information from third parties. This includes licensing bodies being required to provide information about licence applicants.’ 

  • More guidance about tax registration obligations can be found from :

Apply for a private hire operator's licence

Please bring your completed application form, and a form of payment, in person to:

Lichfield Connects team (front desk), Lichfield District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6ZD

You can pay by card (via chip and pin) or by cheque (made payable to Lichfield District Council). View the fees

All taxi operators are included on the register of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles on data.gov.uk