Information about Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Licences
If you want to make a complaint or send us a compliment about one of our Taxis or Private Hire vehicles or drivers please visit our Comments, Compliment or Complaints page.
Taxis or hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are licensed to ensure that they are suitable and safe for the carriage of the public.
The legislation covering the two is quite different. In brief, a taxi can stand on a rank, be flagged down in the street, or can be booked through one of the many licensed operators. A private hire vehicle can accept pre-booked calls only, cannot rank and cannot be flagged down. If a private hire driver does either of the latter two, you may find that not only do they commit an offence, but their insurance may be also be invalid.
Applicants must undergo a number of checks including a Medical, Driving and Knowledge Tests and a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check before they apply for a licence to drive either a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle. Applicants have to complete the DBS application form in person and this form can only be obtained from Public Protection Services, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness.
Licensed vehicles must be of a certain standard. All vehicles must be tested prior to licensing and once licensed be tested at least twice a year at one of the Council's approved testing stations. They must be clean, comfortable and carry safety equipment such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
The proprietor of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle is required to report an accident to the licensing authority within 72 hours. Accidents must still be reported whether the vehicle was carrying passengers at the time or not. Accident Report Forms are available here: Word Version. or PDF Version.
To apply for a taxi or private hire licence click here for application forms
Links to Hackney Carriage Tariff Fares (up to 4 seated vehicle)
Hackney Carriage Tariff Fares (5-8 seated vehicle)
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Under the Equality Act 2010 ("the Act"), local authorities are permitted to maintain a list of wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles. This list of wheelchair accessible vehicles designated for the purposes of S165 of the Act. If you notice any apparent error or omission in the list, please contact a member of the Licensing Team.
24/7 Taxis
License number: PV551
Vehicle: Tourneo – Ford Thorpe
License expires: 23 November 2026
A Taxis
License number: PV301
Vehicle: Peugeot Boxer
License expires: 12 November 2026
Airport Services
License number: PV129
Vehicle: Volkswagen Caddy Maxi
License expires: 13 February 2027
License number: PV791
Vehicle: Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life
License expires: 24 March 2027
License number: PV900
Vehicle: Volkswagon Caddy
License expires: 21 August 2026
License number: PV901
Vehicle: Volkswagon Caddy
License expires: 25 August 2026
License number: PV902
Vehicle: Volkswagon Caddy
License expires: 25 August 2026
License number: PV903
Vehicle: Volkswagon Caddy
License expires: 25 August 2026
Carefree Travel
License number: PV310
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 27 May 2026
License number: PV880
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 7 May 2026
License number: PV801
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 28 May 2026
License number: PV971
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 9 September 2026
License number: PV562
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 22 March 2027
Central Cars
License number: PV868
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 2 September 2026
License number: PV848
Vehicle: Citroën Dispatch
License expires: 2 September 2026
License number: PV299
Vehicle: Peugeot Expert
License expires: 2 October 2026
License number: PV237
Vehicle: Citroën Dispatch Combi
License expires: 7 January 2027
License number: PV898
Vehicle: Ford Torneo Custom
License expires: 20 August 2026
Dalton Cars
License number: PV557
Vehicle: Peugeot Independence SE Plus
License expires: 27 August 2026
License number: PV558
Vehicle: Peugeot Expert Tepee
License expires: 23 June 2026
License number: PV761
Vehicle: Peugeot Expert – Independence
License expires: 17 December 2026
Getaway Travel
License number: HV426
Vehicle: Peugeot Expert
License expires: 10 February 2027
License number: PV222
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 2 June 2026
Hobans
License number: HV368
Vehicle: Ford Freedom Grand
License expires: 6 April 2026
License number: PV997
Vehicle: Volkswagen Caddy
License expires: 26 January 2026
License number: PV456
Vehicle: Volkswagen Caddy
License expires: 8 February 2027
Lanx Private Ambulance Services
License number: PV511
Vehicle: Renault Master
License expires: 23 September 2026
License number: PV512
Vehicle: Citron Berlineo
License expires: 23 September 2026
Policies
Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy
The Council recognises both the needs of residents and the public at large to have access to safe, convenient and effective taxi services and the importance of this provision to the taxi trade and local economy. This document sets out the policy that the Council will apply when making decisions about new applications and licences currently in force. The policy sets out the normal requirements and standards that must be met. In exercising its discretion in carrying out its regulatory function, the Council will have regard to this policy document.
Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy is available here. The policy also implements the Department for Transports Statutory Guidance.
Licence Conditions
- Hackney Carriage Driver
- Hackney Carriage Vehicle
- Hackney Carriage Vehicle Specification
- Private Hire Driver
- Private Hire Vehicle
- Private Hire Vehicle Specification
- Private Hire Operator
- Executive Hire
Data Protection and Information Sharing for further information please click here.
EU Services Directive
Barrow Borough Council is part of a Europe-wide scheme which aims to break down barriers to cross border trade in services between countries in the EU.
The EU Services Directive has been brought in to make it easier for service providers, particularly small and medium sized enterprises, to offer their services to customers in all EU countries, whether establishing elsewhere in the EU or providing services remotely from the UK.
Contact details:
Licensing,
Public Health and Public Protection,
Westmorland and Furness Council,
Town Hall,
Duke Street,
Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria LA14 2LD
Tel: 0300 373 3300
Email: commercial@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk