Vehicle Requirements for Taxis

Vehicle requirements

For a vehicle to be licensed it must:

• be capable of carrying at least four and no more than eight passengers;
• have a minimum engine size of 1600cc or produce a minimum of 89bhp;
• have a minimum of four opening doors, two on each side of the vehicle with the exception of London style taxis;
• have a minimum passenger seat width of 16" (41cms) per passenger;
• be finished in a manufacturer's standard colour;
• comply with the Vehicle Age and Emissions Policy
• be maintained to a high mechanical standard;
• be maintained to a high visual standard of appearance both internally and externally.

Vehicles that fall outside of the policy will still be considered but please contact the Licensing Team to discuss the matter before purchasing a vehicle.

Full details of the vehicle requirements can be found in the Drivers Handbook.  if you would like to licence your vehicle or renew an existing licence, please fill in our vehicle licence application form

Vehicle Age & Emissions Policy

This new Vehicle Age & Emissions Policy [134KB] which applies to both new and renewing vehicle licences has been produced to take into account changes in vehicles over recent years. The main consideration when licensing vehicles is the safety of the vehicle, however, it is recognised that high importance is placed on tackling poor air quality, particularly within the district's three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Bishop's Stortford, Hertford and Sawbridgeworth.

Following public consultation the policy was approved by Council on 5th March 2019 and came into effect on the 1st April 2019.

For a vehicle to be licensed for the first time or to remain licensed (a renewal) it must meet both the age and emission part of the policy which are:

From 1st April 2023:

• New vehicles will not be licensed if they are more than 5 years old or do not meet or exceed Euro 6 emissions standards
• Renewing vehicles will not be licensed if they are more than 10 years old at the time of application or do not meet or exceed Euro 6 emissions standards

The table is a guide and you can check the emissions of your vehicle using an online checker but it is recommended you contact the vehicle manufacturer to check your car's standard is if you are unsure.

When will the different criteria be applied?

If the licence of a currently licensed Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle is allowed to EXPIRE by its proprietor then any subsequent application will NOT be considered as a renewal. This means that where an existing vehicle licences expires, a subsequent application for a licence for that vehicle will be treated as a first time application and the standards and criteria relating to first time applications will be applied.

For the avoidance of doubt when a new vehicle has an existing plate transferred onto it the vehicle will be considered under the criteria for a vehicle being licensed for the first time.

This brief summary is not a substitute for reading the policy in detail which can be downloaded from this page. Applications to licence vehicles which fall outside of the policy will be considered on their own merits.

Limit on Hackney Carriage Vehicle Numbers

Following an Unmet Demand Survey and consultation, East Herts Council has taken the decision to increase the number of Hackney Carriage vehicle licences it issues to 210. 

There is a process in place for people to express an interest in being granted one of the available plates. Expressions of interest can be made using the link below and will open at 09:00 on Friday, 21st March 2025, and close at 09:00 on Friday, 4th April 2025. This process will be repeated no more frequently than quarterly depending on the availability of plates.

Licences will be awarded according to the criteria at the start of the expression of interest document which you should read carefully before completing the required information. Points will be given to fully wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV’s), fully electric vehicles (EV’s) and newer vehicles with cleaner emissions in line with the documented criteria.

Click here to express an interest in applying for a Hackney Carriage vehicle licence. 

You don’t have to be an existing member of the licensed trade to express an interest as it is open to everyone.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV's)

East Herts actively encourages the licensing of fully Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV's). If you are unsure if your vehicle qualifies as a WAV or not then please get in touch.

Electric Vehicles (EV's)

East Herts actively encourages the licensing of fully Electric Vehicles (EV's) and is involved in a number of projects to improve the charging infrastructure for electric taxis and allow drivers to trial Electric Vehicles (Herts 2025 project). 

Documents required to licence a vehicle

When applying to licence a vehicle certain documents will need to be presented:

• V5 registration document
• Valid insurance showing the correct cover
• MOT certificate
• Vehicle Condition Certificate (VCC Pass)
• Meter Calibration Certificate (Hackney Carriage vehicle only)
• The Road Tax and MOT validity will be checked by Council officers through the national online register

Testing Stations authorised to issue Vehicle Condition Certificates

With effect from Wednesday 1 April 2026, Vehicle Condition Certificates (VCC) will become Vehicle Inspections. We will no longer have approved garages for Vehicle condition inspections. Vehicle inspections will only be conducted by the Licensing Team at East Hertfordshire District Council, Wallfields, Pegs Ln, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8EQ. This will only include the visual and cosmetic appearance test.

If the licensed vehicle fails the inspection, we will remove the plate (and roof light if applicable) and associated equipment at the conclusion of the inspection. You will not be permitted to use the unexpired vehicle condition certificate to continue operating, whilst rectifying the fault. You must retest and pass before you receive your plates and equipment back.

The Vehicle Inspection will cost £40.00. To get an appointment you must make payment. To do this please visit our payment page and select “Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing” and “Vehicle Inspection” in the drop-down options, and use your plate number as the reference.

Once we have processed your payment you will be given an appointment. Failure to attend your appointment without notifying us of a valid reason beforehand, will result in you needing to pay again for a new appointment.

Signs and advertising

The two forward door panels may be used to advertise the taxi company details and the rear door panels can be used for other advertising subject to approval from the Licensing Team. Sun strips, 'All over' advertising on London style taxis and signs on the rear screens of vehicles will not be approved.