Service Update - July 2024
The Licensing Team aim to acknowledge receipt of your application within 5 - 10 working days (subject to demand).
Renewal applications should be submitted at least 4 weeks before the expiry of the licence. If a renewal application is received after this period, we cannot guarantee that a new licence will be issued prior to the expiry of the existing licence.
Please note that the number of incorrect and/or incomplete applications the Licensing Team are receiving is significantly impacting the above timescales. To enable us to manage the volume of applications, and to ensure that applications are processed in a timely manner, incorrect or incomplete applications may now be rejected and a refund issued (where applicable).
Any rejected application will need to be resubmitted with the error(s) corrected, and the full fee paid again. Failure to do so, will result in the application again being rejected.
All applications must be:
- Completed in full (this includes answering all questions within the application);
- Submitted with all the relevant supporting documents (as listed on the application); and
- The appropriate fee paid.
You are advised not to make a payment until you are in a position to submit your application and ensure you check the current policy / eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Please do not email individual Officers. Only applications submitted to the Licensing email will be processed.
It is very important for safety reasons that members of the public do not get into any vehicle that they think is a private hire vehicle unless it has the appropriate signs/plates displayed; and the driver is wearing the correct driver's badge.
All licensed private hire vehicles must display permanently affixed licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle. They must also display stickers on each rear door which passengers use to get into the vehicle, and which bear the words ‘Licensed For Pre-Booked Journeys only’.
There is no limit on the number of private hire vehicle licences in the Borough.
Licensing Policy
Please refer to the Vehicle Eligibility web page before submitting an application, to ensure your vehicle meets the Council's Eligibility Criteria.
Failure to do so could lead to an application being rejected or refused.
Applying for a Licence
Supporting documents
New applications
Mandatory documentation;
- Vehicle Log Book (V5c), (we will also accept the Green New Keeper Slip)
- Proof of Ownership (Bill of sale, contract or agreement)
- Vehicle Insurance.
If your vehicle has been written off in categories S or N, imported or you are not currently a licensed private hire or hackney carriage driver further supporting documentation will be required.
Renewal applications
Mandatory documentation;
- Vehicle Log Book (V5c)
- Vehicle Insurance.
If your vehicle has been written off in categories S or N, imported or you are not currently a licensed private hire or hackney carriage driver further supporting documentation will be required.
If you are applying to change the vehicle registration on an existing licensed vehicle, the above (with the exception of a bill of sale) should also be accompanied by proof of the change of registration from DVLA.
Transfer applications
Mandatory documentation;
- Vehicle Log Book (V5c), (we will also accept the Green New Keeper Slip)
- Proof of Ownership (Bill of sale, contract or agreement)
- Vehicle Insurance.
- Consent Form (To be completed by each of the existing proprietors).
If your vehicle has been written off in categories S or N, imported or you are not currently a licensed private hire or hackney carriage driver further supporting documentation will be required.
Further supporting documentation
Vehicle Inspections
You will be emailed a time and date for your vehicle to be inspected, once the application has been processed, and verified as correct and valid. The email is auto generated from the Booking System and will come from WebAdmin@wigan.gov.uk - Do not reply to this email.
We aim to determine an application within 2 - 3 workings days of a satisfactory vehicle inspection result (providing we are in receipt of valid insurance).
Before a licence can be issued, vehicles must be tested to make sure that they are mechanically fit, safe and comfortable.
Your vehicle must be disinfected before it is presented for inspection at the council’s Makerfield Way Depot.
If your vehicle fails a vehicle inspection or is booked as a non-arrival a further fee will be payable before a further inspection is arranged.
To cancel or change an appointment that has already been booked please email the Licensing Team at your earliest convenience. All appointments must be cancelled or changed a minimum of 24 hours in advance, not including weekends and bank holidays. Failure to do so could incur additional costs.
You can check and confirm the date and time of any future inspection that has already been booked. You will need your full vehicle registration to confirm this information and details can be found at:
Paying for an additional Vehicle Inspection (fees and charges)
Licence Conditions
All vehicles must display both front and rear licence plates, and they must be displayed in the authorised plate holders, obtained from the Licensing Team.
To purchase a plate holder, a replacement plate or replacement door stickers, please visit the Request Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence Consumables webpage.
Any addition of a ‘screen’ to a licensed vehicle would not form part of the standard requirements and conditions, and therefore will not be examined as part of the inspection.
Wigan Council would not accept liability in circumstances where a screen has caused injury to a passenger or the driver, as we do not recommend or approve the addition of a screen in licensed vehicles.
Further guidance can be found at Safety Screens for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (external link).
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 addres(external link).
Report a Vehicle Accident
As the proprietor of a private hire vehicle licensed by Wigan Council, you must report any accident causing damage materially affecting the safety, performance or appearance of the vehicle or the comfort or convenience of persons carried in the vehicle.
All accidents should be reported within 72 hours of the accident, in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint in relation to a hackney carriage vehicle, you can:
Please provide details of the vehicle including vehicle registration or plate number.
Public register
We maintain a public register(external link) of all current private hire vehicle licences. This is currently updated once a week.