Taxi Operator

You will need a private hire operator's licence if you're looking to carry out pre-booked private hire work, such as airport transfers, giving lifts to hen/stag nights, etc.

You may need to apply for planning permission if you want to run your business from home, and that use amounts to a change of use for the property. Visit our Planning for Business pages for more information about planning.

You must read our Taxi Licensing Policy before applying for a licence.

Fees

Our taxi licensing fees can be found on our Taxi Licence Fees page.

Apply for a private hire operator's licence

Please note

The applicant will be required to provide a Basic Disclosure from the DBS. The DBS certificate must be dated within one month of the application. Where a company holds the licence, each director will be required to submit the basic disclosures. However where the applicant/director is also a driver they will not be required to submit a basic disclosure as the drivers Enhanced Disclosure and DBS Update Service will apply.
The applicant, or each company director (in the event that a company holds the licence) shall then submit to us on an annual basis disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service within 30 days of the annual anniversary of grant of the licence. The basic disclosure certificate must be dated within one month of submission. Note that applicants and directors who hold a private hire licence with us are exempt from this requirement.
On application and renewal each operator shall submit a copy of their policy on the employment of ex-offenders to booking and dispatch roles. To assist operators to understand the requirements and to assist in developing a policy we have drafted an example policy document [docx] 23KB which can be amended to suit your individual business.
You will require an operating base located within the Ashford Borough, and will also require to declare that you will be predominately working within the Ashford Borough - and that applications may be refused, or licences revoked, where operators no longer meet these requirements.
You'll need to Log into your Account (or create an account if you don't already have one) to complete the form, which can be found under Service Requests. Submit the form with the appropriate fee, DBS checks (where applicable), proof of right to work in the UK, and a copy of your employment of ex-offenders policy.

Renew Taxi Operator Licence

How to apply

Log into your Account (or create an account if you don't already have one, Note: if you have not used the online renewal form since February 2026, you will need to register for an account)
Click on Service Requests, Taxi Licensing, Taxi Operator licence application and renewal

Before you start, please make sure you have the following to hand:

Credit or debit card to pay the Taxi Operator Renewal Fee. Payment must be made at the same time as submitting the application. Failure to do so may result in the application being rejected.
a copy of your policy on the employment of ex-offenders to booking and dispatch roles. To assist operators to understand the requirements and to assist in developing a policy we have drafted an example policy document [docx] 23KB which can be amended to suit your individual business.
A copy of your basic DBS certificate (only required if you are not a licensed taxi driver)

Failure to upload the required documents may result in the application being rejected.