Licence conditions for hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire

You must comply with your conditions of your licence. These conditions helps us to provide a better service for taxi and private hire users in Birmingham.

Vehicles permitted to drive in a designated bus lane may include Hackney carriages, where signage allows. Private hire vehicles are not permitted to use any bus lanes in Birmingham. More information is available on our bus lane enforcement page.

If you’re licensed for private hire you must not ply for hire or stand on Hackney Carriage Ranks - you will be prosecuted if you do.

Access for wheelchair users to Taxis

We are required to keep a register of wheelchair accessible vehicles licensed in Birmingham under section 167 of the Equality Act 2010.

Section 165 of the Act requires the drivers of those vehicles to carry passengers in wheelchairs and provide assistance to those passengers, and prohibits them from charging extra.

The requirements of section 165 do not apply to drivers who have a valid exemption certificate and are displaying this notice in the prescribed manner.

Section 172 of the Act enables vehicle owners to appeal against the decision of the Licensing Authority to include their vehicles on the designated list. The appeal should be made to the Magistrate’s Court and must be made within 28 days of the vehicle in question being included on the published list. To do so, you will need to contact Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

Notifying us of offences or endorsements

Always let us know in writing within 7 days if you receive any conviction, caution or motoring endorsement. Do not wait for your licence to come back from the DVLA before telling us about a motoring endorsement.

Notifying us of changes

If you sell or transfer your vehicle licence you must inform us in writing within 14 days, stating the name and address of the person you’ve sold the vehicle to. Make sure you get the plate changed from your name into their name.

Let us know your current address at all times.

If you’re changing operations, you must let us know before you start work with your new operator.

Displaying your badge

Always wear your badge when acting as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver.

Other rules and conditions

New and replacement private hire vehicles must be younger than eight years (from date of first registration) when the application is submitted for licensing. A vehicle older than eight years will not be licensed. The age of imported vehicles will be assessed from date of first registration in the country of origin if that is earlier than the date of first registration in the UK.