Private Hire Operators

Under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 we are responsible for licensing private hire operators within the Borough.

You need to have a licence to operate a private hire business in Wigan Borough.

Private hire operators are based throughout the borough and normally accept bookings over the phone and cars are then sent to customers through the use of radios or computerised systems.  However, app-based taxi services are becoming increasingly more popular with the introduction of smart phones. 

There are no restrictions on the number of vehicles and drivers that can be operated under a private hire operator licence.

Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards

Stage 1 of these standards relating to taxis and private hire vehicles came into effect on 1 December 2021 unless stated otherwise.  Further information can be found on Regulation Committee Report (external link).

Making an Application

Renewal applications can be made up to 8 weeks prior to the expiry date.  You are advised to submit an application no later than 2 weeks prior to the expiry date.

Prior to making an application please ensure that you have read through and are familiar with the  conditions which will be attached to your licence should it be issued.  You need to ensure that you show how you are going to comply with these conditions on the application form.  Failure to do so could lead to a delay with your application.

Please note:

Any applicant or company director that is not currently a licensed private hire or hackney carriage driver will be required to provide evidence of a Basic Disclosure (external link), at least once in a 12 month period.

• Complete Application Form
• Pay Application Fee(external link) (fees and charges)
• Email your completed application to the Licensing Team with the relevant supporting documents:

• • Operator Policies (mandatory)
  • Entitlement to Work in the UK (if applicable)
  • Basic Disclosure (external link) (if applicable)
  • Planning Permission (if applicable)
  • Public Liability Insurance (if applicable)

We aim to determine your application within 5 working days (subject to receipt of a complete application). Failure to submit a completed application, including supporting documents and the appropriate fee will delay the processing times.

Licence Conditions

The conditions attached to all private hire operator licences have been updated in connection with the Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards. These conditions came into effect on 1 December 2021. 

• Schedule of conditions attached to a Private Hire Operator Licence

Change of Address

You must inform the Council if you move home, giving details of your new address within seven days of moving.  This can be done by completing the following form:  Notify Licensing of a change of address(external link).

Annual Fees

There is an annual fee payable each year for the licence to remain in force.  All annual fees become due and payable on the anniversary of the grant of their licence.  Failure to pay an annual fee will result in the suspension of the licence until such time as the fee has been paid.  During any period of suspension it would be unlawful to operate private hire vehicles.

• Pay Annual Fee(external link).

Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint in relation to a private hire operator, you can:

• Make a licensing complaint as a Wigan Borough resident by registering / logging into MyAccount
• Make a licensing complaint as a non-resident.

COVID-19

COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person.  Face coverings are largely intended to protect others, but also provide some protection for the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 infection.

Face coverings must now be worn by passengers and users of public transport in England, unless they are exempt.  Operators must make sure that they communicate this information, either by:

• Displaying appropriate notices prominently in offices and, where possible, in vehicles; or
• Taking other appropriate measures to ensure that passengers are aware of this requirement.

It is advisable that operators do both of these steps, and communicate to passengers in advance of travel, where possible, to promote compliance with the requirements.

Operators must also not prevent any person from wearing a face covering or ask them to remove it, except where briefly required to verify a person’s identity.

Face coverings can be found via the CCS Office Supplies framework (external link) and from other suppliers.

• Face coverings (when to wear one and exemptions) (external link)
• Actions that drivers, operators and owners of taxis or private hire vehicles (PHVs) can take to protect against coronavirus (external link).