Taxi licensing office

Licensing Office

The Taxi Licensing Office is now sited at Block A at Killingworth.

There will be no general access to the Taxi Licensing Office.  Access to the office continues to be by appointment or invitation only. We are reviewing this arrangement and this page will be updated when this review has concluded.

Any enquiries should be submitted by email to taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk 

Alternatively, you can also contact the team on telephone number (0191) 643 2165.

Drivers, vehicle proprietors and operators wishing to renew their licence should not visit the Licensing Office without an appointment.  Applications and scanned documents or photographs are to be e-mailed to us and payment must be made by debit/credit card over the telephone.  

Instructions on how to renew each type of licence are below.  Any renewal applications must be made before the expiry of the current licence and will only be considered valid when the licence fee has been paid.  Currently payments can only be made between the hours of 9.30 and 16.00.

Driver Licence Renewals

You should complete the renewal form in the normal way making sure you answer all questions and that you sign and date it.  Then either scan or photograph it along with any required documents (such as your DVLA driving licence, DBS documents if required, medical if required), the DVLA Share Code and email it to taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk    Should you be unable to produce any required documentation with your application please highlight this on your application or in your e-mail to us.  Please remember to include a contact telephone number so that a member of the Licensing Team can contact you to take payment by debit/credit card over the telephone. 

If you have difficulty in getting an appointment with a G.P. to complete your medical contact the Licensing Office by e-mail without delay for further advice, however, you will still be able to submit your renewal application.

If your application is complete and all is in order you will receive your new licence by e-mail once the records have been updated.  Your new I.D. badges will be posted to you.  If your application is incomplete for any reason then, providing you have paid the licence fee, we will issue you an authorisation letter to enable you to continue to drive.

If you are unable to submit your application for any reason, please contact the licensing office.

Vehicle Licence Renewals

You should complete the renewal form in the normal way making sure you answer all questions and that you sign and date it. Then either scan or photograph it along with any required documents and then email it to taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk along with a copy of your insurance and V5 document.  Should you be unable to produce any required documentation with your application highlight this on your application or in your e-mail to us. Please remember to include a contact telephone number so that a member of the Licensing Team can contact you to take payment by debit/credit card over the telephone.  If your application is complete, all is in order and your vehicle has passed its test you will receive your new licence by e-mail and a new windscreen disc posted out to you. If your application is incomplete for any reason, then, providing you have paid the licence fee, we will issue you an authorisation letter to enable you to continue to operate.

If you are unable to submit your application for any reason, please contact the Licensing Office.

Replacement Vehicles

If you wish to replace your vehicle you should request an application form from the Licensing Office or print one off from this website.  Then complete it in full, sign and date it and email it to taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk along with a copy of your insurance and V5 document or bill of sale.  Should you be unable to produce any required documentation with your application highlight this on your application or in your e-mail to us. Please remember to include a contact telephone number so that a member of the Licensing Team can contact you to take payment by debit/credit card over the telephone. If your application is complete, all is in order and your vehicle has passed its test you will be given an appointment to collect your new plate and disc from the Licensing Office. You will receive your new licence by e-mail.

Vehicle Test

Make an appointment to have your vehicle tested in the usual way by either e-mailing the Licensing Office taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk or by telephone on the usual number 0191 6432165.  Present your vehicle for test as normal.   

Once your vehicle has passed its test and all other aspects of your application are in order your new licence will be emailed to you when the records have been updated.  For replacement vehicles you will be able to collect your new licence plate and disc from the Licensing Office at a later date.  If you are renewing an existing licence a new windscreen disc will be posted out to you. If you have any queries regarding any of the above please contact the Licensing Office by email to taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk    Please note that it remains your responsibility to renew your vehicle licence as detailed above. 

Operators

Operators wishing to renew their licence should complete, sign and date the renewal form then scan or photograph it along with any required documents and email it to the Licensing Office.  If you are unable to produce any required documentation please highlight this on your application or in your email to us.  Please remember to include a contact telephone number so that a member of the Licensing Team can contact you to take payment by debit/credit card over the telephone.  If your application is complete and all is in order your new licence and display licence will be emailed to you. A laminated copy of your display copy will be posted out.  If your application is incomplete for any reason, then, providing you have paid the licence fee, we will issue you with an authorisation letter to enable you to continue to operate. If you are unable to submit your application for any reason please contact the Licensing Office.

Interim Tests

Interim tests are being carried out as normal.

Knowledge/Locality Tests 

Knowledge/Locality tests can be arranged by appointment only. 

Protective screens

In response to requests from the trade the Council will permit, as a temporary measure, the installation of a protective screen within vehicles. However, there is a specific process that must be followed before installation, please see the document below for further information.  In response to the continued Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department for Transport has developed ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): safety screens for taxis and PHVs Guidance’ for the safe and appropriate fitting of separating screens between the front and rear of a taxi or private hire vehicle. The guidance has been published today and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safety-s...

Licensing
Public Protection Services
Harvey Combe
Block A
Killingworth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 6QQ

Telephone: (0191) 643 2165
Email: taxi.licensing@northtyneside.gov.uk

We licence:

• hackney carriage and private hire vehicles
• drivers
• operators of private hire vehicles

You can contact us for:

• general enquiries
• application forms
• knowledge tests
• vehicle testing and suitability of vehicles
• informal or confidential advice
• comments about the conduct of a driver
• comments about the condition of a vehicle
• comments about an operator

Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards

In July 2020 the Department for Transport (DfT) published updated guidance for local authorities on their approach to their taxi licensing function.  This Authority, when exercising any relevant functions, must now have regard to these Standards. 

We no longer accept cheques. Please make your payment with credit or debit card.

A list of fees and charges is shown below

We are required by law to maintain a register of hackney carriage proprietors and part proprietors and private hire drivers, and to make these available to the public for inspection at any reasonable time.

You can inspect the registers at the Licensing Office between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Please contact the office to make an appointment. There is no charge for this service.