How to make your application
To help you submit an application, please follow the steps below. Make sure all forms are fully completed and all required documents are provided. Missing information may delay your application
Step One
Fill in the Application form, including the Checklist and Declaration, ensure all information is accurate and the form is signed missing information may lead to your application being returned to you.
You must ensure your vehicle meets the requirements set out in our policy, if it does not the licence will be refused.
Step 2
Your insurance must include (but is not limited to)
- a valid and fully comprehensive policy.
- a policy that provides indemnity cover for each licenced driver of the vehicle.
- a policy that provides the cover for business use of hire and reward as a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle as may be appropriate.
Full Details of all the insurance requirements are set out in our policy.
Step 3
As a measure of the vehicles roadworthiness an MOT test must be carried out prior to licensing.
The MOT test certificate should be obtained no more than 5 days prior to the licence application being submitted.
Vehicles under 4 years old are required to have an MOT annually on licensing/re-licensing, vehicles over 4 years of age are required to have an MOT every 6 months.
Vehicles which have advisory notices for any matter connected with the brakes, tyres, steering or suspension will not be licensed until proof of repair is supplied.
Full Details of all the MOT requirements are set out in our policy.
Step 4
Submit your completed application and documents either:
- By email: licensing@runnymede.gov.uk
- In person at the Civic Centre reception
Once your documents and payment are received and processed, we will contact you to arrange a compliance check appointment.
Private hire vehicle plate exemptions
Exemptions from displaying external identification plates (vehicle licence plates) may be in respect of individual vehicles only. Applications for exemptions relating to a fleet of vehicles will not be allowed. There is no fee for plate exemption. Additional documentation may be requested as reasonably necessary to allow the Council to make an informed decision.
Each application will be assessed on its own merit, and each vehicle will be inspected by an authorised Council officer to ensure that it is fit for purpose.
Applications for exemption from the requirement to display an external identification plate will only be considered where the work undertaken is exclusively where the driver and vehicle are specifically hired to provide transport to a company or person by corporate or account holders only, and where the safety of the public is not compromised. The operator will be required to satisfy the licensing officer prior to licensing that the use of the vehicle is by corporate and account holders and must be able to provide evidence to enable the licensing officer to determine the genuine requirement for plate exemption. This will typically be by reference to the operator’s records showing the account and corporate work carried out.
Full Details on Private hire vehicle plate exemption requirements are set out in our policy.
Transfer of vehicle plate
From time to time, it may be necessary to transfer your vehicle licence to a new vehicle, you will need to complete a change of vehicle application form and pay the Transfer fee other than that the process for this is the same as set out in steps 1 to 4 above.
Full Details on Transfer of Vehicle licence requirements are set out in our policy.
Temporary replacement vehicles
Replacement vehicles for vehicles involved in an accident, any replacement vehicle must be supplied through an accident management company authorised by the proprietor’s insurance company. So long as all other eligibility criteria and requirements are met, the licensing authority will, where appropriate, permit another vehicle to be temporarily licensed for up to 28 days as a short term replacement for any licensed vehicle involved in an accident.
A Temporary replacement vehicles application form is supplied for this purpose, please follow steps 1 to 4 above.
Full Details on Temporary replacement vehicles requirements are set out in our policy.
This form helps us improve the content and structure of our webpages only, and we cannot provide a response to any submission below.