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Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn - Isle of Anglesey County Council

Taxi licences


Hackney carriage/private hire licence

The authority is required to issue licences and set conditions on hackney carriages and private hire taxis to ensure the vehicles used are safe and comfortable and that the drivers are fit and proper persons, medically fit, knowledgeable and free from relevant convictions. 

Hackney carriages can be hailed at the roadside. They have a ‘Taxi’ roof sign and white ‘Taxi’ plates plates displayed on the front and rear of each vehicle, the vehicles are either white or silver. Hackney carriages  are also fitted with taximeters, which calculate the fare. The fare must not exceed the council’s maximum Hackney carriage fares.

Private hire vehicles cannot be hailed at the roadside. All private hire vehicles must be pre-booked. There is no light on their roof and a yellow ‘PHV’ plate is displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Such vehicles can be any colour except white and silver.  If a private hire vehicle stops when hailed it is likely that the person travelling in the vehicle would not be insured. All private hire vehicles must be operated by a licensed private hire operator.

All hackney carriages and private hire vehicles must be tested at the council’s vehicle testing station at Gaerwen where the vehicles are tested to a specified standard set by the council.

Further information on how we regulate taxis and private hire vehicles is available in our Hackney Carriages (Taxis) Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Operators Licensing Policy.

Who can apply for a new driver licence

  • Anyone who has a current full DVLA driving licence held for over 12 months
  • Anyone free from ‘relevant convictions’
  • Anyone who is not disqualified by reason of their immigration status

Apply for a new driver licence

Applicants are encouraged to make their applications online or in person at the Council Offices in Llangefni.  

The following items will also be required upon submission : 

  • A current full DVLA driving licence - this Licence must have been held for at least 12 months.
  • One colour passport sized photograph (new applications).
  • Completed DBS application form

We will forward the completed application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

  • Two completed ‘referee forms’
  • Completed ‘medical certificate’ by applicant’s GP
  • Proof of the right to work in the UK
  • The appropriate fee
  • Fees and charges

Taxi knowledge test

Prior to submitting a ‘hackney carriage/private hire driver’s application’, individuals will be invited to undertake a ‘taxi knowledge test’.

This fifteen minute written exercise is designed to test the applicants numeracy and customer care skills, geographical knowledge and a sound understanding of  Taxi rules and conditions as outlined in the authority’s Hackney Carriages (Taxis) Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Operators Licensing Policy.

If an applicant fails to pass the ‘taxi knowledge test’ a re-test will be requested at an additional cost.

There needs to be a minimum 24 hours between failing the initial ‘taxi knowledge test’ and the ‘re-test’. Once the knowledge test has been successfully completed then the application can be submitted.

Apply for renewal of a driver licence

Safeguarding  

Applicants for a driver’s licence will be required to undertake an approved safeguarding course, before their licence is issued.     

What happens next?

Upon receiving a satisfactory DBS return from the Disclosure and Barring Service, the council will then consider your application and if appropriate, issue a Hackney Carriage / PHV Drivers Licence.

If the application is refused then the applicant can appeal against the decision to the Licensing Committee. 

Apply for a new hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence

Applicants are encouraged to make their applications online, or in person at the Council Offices in Llangefni. 

The following items will also be required upon submission:

  • Current MOT(required after 12 months from the date of first registration for Hackney carriages)
  • Certificate of insurance for hire and reward
  • Council test centre pass certificate
  • V5C Registration certificate
  • Seating plan for vehicles fitted with more than 4 passenger seats

Apply for renewal of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence

Apply for a new or renew a private hire operator licence

Applicants are encouraged to make their applications online, or in person at the Council Offices in Llangefni. 

The following items will also be required upon submission:

  • Basic DBS if you are not a holder of a taxi/PHV driver licence
  • Proof of the right to work in the UK