Apply or renew

Step 1: The Vehicle

You will need to make sure that the vehicle you wish to licence fulfils the requirements of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy (Gravesham). In particular you will need to look at:

• Appendix A which talks about the vehicle specifications and requirements

Please note it is the applicants' responsibility to ensure that their vehicle meets our requirements. All vehicles are inspected before a licence/plate will be issued; we cannot licence a vehicle until our requirements are satisfied or issue refunds as a result of vehicles being un-licensable.

Restricted Private Hire Vehicles

Gravesham issue a vehicle licence with a condition which restricts the work to school runs only, booked through a licensed operator.

Step 2: Documents

Once you have established that your vehicle meets the policy requirements, you will need to check that you have the following documentation* available to submit with your application**:

• A current insurance certificate for the vehicle with the appropriate type of cover
• An MOT certificate that is not more than 6 months old when handed in
• The V5C registration document with the applicants' details as the owner (or the V5C/2 slip or bill of sale along with an alternative proof of ownership until the V5C is available)

*existing licence holders applying to renew a vehicle licence will only need to provide the above documents if they are due.

**applicants using a laptop/computer can attach scanned copies of their documents to their application form, whilst those using a smartphone or handheld device will be able to attach photographs of them.

Euro Status – for new vehicle applications

At the first time of licensing, other than stretched limousines and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, vehicles must meet the Euro 5 or Euro 6 emission standards.

We will not be able to issue your licence until you have proof of the emissions status. The only acceptable document for this is the second page of the V5 logbook, therefore you may need to request a copy of this from the previous owner.

Step 3: Vehicle Licence Application/Renewal

Once you have completed all of the above steps you can then apply for, or renew, a vehicle licence using our online form.

During this form you will be booking your annual inspection with Rosherville Limited. We won’t issue a licence until such time as we are satisfied that the vehicle meets the criteria of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy. This inspection is an integral part of checking this.

The form takes approximately fifteen minutes to complete. You will need to upload copies of the documentation mentioned in Step 2.

At the end of the form you'll be asked to make your payment by credit or debit card.

Please note that you can only apply for or renew one vehicle licence per form.

Step 1: The Vehicle

You will need to make sure that the vehicle you wish to licence fulfils the requirements of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy (Medway). 

Please note it is the applicants' responsibility to ensure that their vehicle meets the council's requirements. All vehicles are inspected before a licence/plate will be issued; we cannot licence a vehicle until all requirements are satisfied or issue refunds as a result of vehicles being un-licensable.

Restricted Private Hire Vehicles

Medway issue two types of restricted vehicle licence:

• The first is conditioned to only be used for contracted school runs booked through a licensed operator.

• The second is known as an Executive licence.

  To qualify for an Executive licence your vehicle must be made by a luxury car-manufacturer, such as Rolls-Royce or Bentley (the highest specification executive type cars from other high-end manufacturers may also be considered) and the vehicle must be in excellent condition inside and out, with no visible damage or defects whatsoever.

  If this option is chosen within the application form, the applicant will need to describe the work they intend on carrying out, for the Licensing Authority to impose an appropriately worded condition.

Step 2: Documents and Vehicle Inspection

Once you've established that your vehicle meets the policy requirements, you will need to have your vehicle inspected by one of Medway Council’s Approved Garages. You will need to contact the garage to book your inspection, pay the relevant inspection fee directly to them when you attend, and present the following documentation to the garage at the time of the inspection:

• A current insurance certificate for the vehicle with the appropriate type of cover. Spouses must not be named on the insurance for Social, Domestic or Pleasure uses
• The V5C registration document with the applicants' details as the owner (or the V5C/2 slip or bill of sale along with an alternative proof of ownership until the V5C is available)
• Meter Certificate (issued by Meter Agent when you have meter calibrated)

You will not need to take an MOT certificate with you as the garage will do an online check of the MOT validity. At the time of inspection the MOT must be no more than 6 months old.

The garage fees with effect from 1 October 2021 are:

*garage will use their discretion in exceptional circumstances only

Euro Status – for new vehicle applications

At the first time of licensing, other than stretched limousines and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, vehicles will have to meet or exceed the Euro 6 emission standards.

We will not be able to issue your licence until you have proof of the emissions status. The only acceptable document for this is the second page of the V5 logbook, therefore you may need to request a copy of this from the previous owner.

Step 3: Vehicle Licence Application/Renewal

Once you have completed all of the above steps you can then apply for, or renew, a vehicle licence using our online form.

The form takes approximately ten minutes to complete. You'll need to upload a copy of the vehicle inspection form issued by the garage.

At the end of the form you'll be asked to make your payment by credit or debit card.

Please note that you can only apply for or renew one vehicle licence per form.

What happens after I submit my application?

Once you submit your application you will receive an automatic email notification confirming your inspection/plating appointment time, date and location.

We will contact you afterwards if there are any outstanding issues that need addressing before your appointment or if we need you to bring any additional documentation with you.

Once the Licensing Officer is satisfied that the vehicle meets the criteria set out in the relevant Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, so long as all application requirements are satisfied, your licence and plates will be provided.

Gravesham plates will be made up and left at the Civic Centre reception, at which point you will be sent a text message to let you know they are ready to collect at your convenience.

Medway plates will be handed to you at your appointment.