You must meet a number of criteria to licence a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle.

Read our taxi licensing policy and handbook before you apply for a new or renewed licence, and check our taxi licensing fees. Appendix I of the handbook explains the application process, and appendix R contains information about zero and ultra-low emission vehicles.

Vehicle requirements

Emissions

All new licensed saloon vehicles must be ultra-low or zero emission. This applies to both taxis (hackney carriages) and private-hire vehicles.

• ultra-low emission vehicles are plug-in hybrid vehicles or extended range electric vehicles (E-Rev) with CO2 emissions less than 75g per km
• zero-emission vehicles are those that emit no emissions during their operation. These include battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles
• until 30 June 2024 (only applicable for HCV001 to HCV121 and all private hire vehicles), standard hybrid vehicles, with CO2 emissions less than 120g per km

Check the private-hire vehicle checklist [PDF, 72Kb] or hackney carriage vehicle checklist [PDF, 95Kb] for more information.

CCTV

When you apply for a new vehicle licence you must have CCTV installed that meets or exceeds our specification. This also applies if your vehicle licence is due for renewal on or after this date. We will not issue a licence if your vehicle does not comply.

The following companies have confirmed that they can provide and install CCTV systems that meet our specification:

• SAFE Systems CCTV – contact info@safesystemscctv.co.uk or 01706 551212
• AC Security Systems – visit the CabCam website or call 0208 391 8360

CCTV unit prices range from £300 to £500. Installation costs range from £80 to £180. Costs depend on the number of cameras, which is dependent on vehicle size and configuration. Some suppliers provide finance or rental options.

If you’re licensing a Tesla vehicle, the vehicle’s fuses mean you might need a premium installation service. This will cost extra. At least one of the companies listed above can provide this service.

• CCTV technical specification and system requirements [PDF, 0.2MB]
• CCTV operational procedure [PDF, 56Kb]
• CCTV privacy notice [PDF, 0.1MB]

Vehicle process

If you want to licence a new vehicle you must contact us to discuss your application before starting the process. This applies to existing licences or plates. The details of the process are set out below.

Book a vehicle test appointment

• contact the garage on 01223 458266 to book your appointment. Appointments are available from 6.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

We require all licensed vehicles to be tested at least twice a year.  The first test must be carried out before we grant the Licence (when a Certificate of Compliance will be issued).  For a vehicle to pass, it must comply with both:

• vehicle mechanical standard
• vehicle visual standard

You’ll need to provide all details of the vehicle to be tested – registration, make, model and plate number.

Obtaining the vehicle licence

Only once a Certificate of Compliance has been obtained, can the rest of the application process take place. 

• email us to book your appointment to obtain your vehicle licence and plates

At the appointment you will need to bring:

• a completed vehicle application form [PDF, 0.1MB]
• a completed joint proprietor continuation form [PDF, 0.1MB] (where applicable)
• a completed additional information form [PDF, 0.2MB], if required
• a certificate of compliance and check list from the garage
• insurance certificate
• in the case of a change of vehicle on an existing plate or renewal, you must hand in your existing plates before the new plates will be issued. Hackney carriage vehicles have one plate, and private hire vehicles have two plates
• the correct fee

For a new vehicle you will also need to produce:

• the V5 for the vehicle – or the new keeper's slip and a bill of sale if no V5 is available
• a vehicle type approval certificate – for converted wheelchair accessible vehicles
• proof of identification

Change of ownership

You can apply to transfer the vehicle licence to another person(s) or add or remove individuals from the licence.

Any individual being added to the licence who has not been licensed by us must complete the following elements before we will accept their application:

• submission of a completed Basic Disclosure
• complete the Blue Lamp Taxi Safeguarding online course and send us the certificate of completion

You will first need to complete the following documents:

• change of vehicle licence proprietor application form [PDF, 0.2MB]
• additional proprietor information form [PDF, 0.1MB], if required
• new non-driver proprietor registration form [PDF, 0.2MB] - you will need to complete one of these for each new non-driver proprietor

When completed send these documents to taxi@cambridge.gov.uk.

Please read the application form and change of proprietor guidance [PDF, 0.1MB] carefully and ensure you will have all the necessary information and documentation for the appointment.

Once all the above steps have been completed then you will be able to proceed to the change of ownership appointment. A fee is charged for this service.