Hackney carriage and private hire vehicle changes
To apply for a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence or re-licence visit:
Transfer of vehicle licence (change of ownership)
If the proprietor or owner of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence transfers their interest in the licence to another person, they must inform Licensing in writing within fourteen days stating the name and address of the person the licence has been transferred to.
The new owner will need to complete and submit a transfer of licence application form and supporting documents.
- Transfer of vehicle licence (change of ownership) application form (Word)
- Transfer of vehicle licence (change of ownership) application form (PDF)
The completed form along with all supporting documents must be submitted electronically to the licensing department – licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Licence change of details form
To update your details including change of name, address, operator, or company name, you must complete and submit the below form. The relevant fee will be required. This form cannot be used to transfer a licence.
If you only require an email or phone number change this does not require a form to be completed, please email licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk.
The completed form along with all supporting documents must be submitted electronically to the licensing department – licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Change of licence type (same vehicle)
If you have a current private hire vehicle licence (PHV) that you would like to change to a hackney carriage vehicle licence (HCV), you will need to surrender your current PHV licence immediately upon submitting a new application for an HCV licence.
If the vehicle is currently licensed, and the licence has not expired or lapsed, it will not need to meet the five-year age requirement. Providing all the documentation for your current licence is up to date, you will only need to supply a new vehicle inspection carried out at an approved garage (this is to capture the extra signage and meter requirements), a hackney carriage meter certificate and an insurance certificate showing use for public hire.
There will be a period where the vehicle will not be able to be used as a licensed vehicle and the timeframe will depend on how quickly you arrange for a taxi meter and roof sign to be fitted, the removal of the pre-booked only signage, updated insurance and a new vehicle inspection.
The same process applies should you wish to change your HCV licence to a PHV licence where the HCV must meet the policy requirements of a PHV.
- Change of licence type (same vehicle) application form (Word)
- Change of licence type (same vehicle) application form (PDF)
The completed form along with all supporting documents must be submitted electronically to the licensing department – licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Change of vehicle on existing licence
Complete the Change of vehicle on existing licence form to transfer your licence to a new vehicle. All new vehicles must be less than five years old from date of registration upon application.
The completed form along with all supporting documents must be submitted electronically to the licensing department – licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Change of registration mark on existing licence
Complete the Change of registration mark on existing licence form to update your registration on an existing licensed vehicle. For example, if you change to a private number plate.
- Change of registration on existing licence form (Word)
- Change of registration on existing licence form (PDF)
The completed form along with all supporting documents must be submitted electronically to the licensing department – licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Not re-licencing - notice to surrender licence
If you do not want to re-licence your vehicle and instead want to surrender it, please inform the licensing authority in writing at licensing@westsuffolk.gov.uk. You must also return the external and internal plates to West Suffolk Council. Nothing should remain on the vehicle that would imply to a member of the public that the vehicle is still a working licensed car. We will update your records accordingly once received.