Licensing and permits

New taxi plates, plate renewals and transfers

Taxi proprietors are responsible for making sure their vehicles have licence plates that are up-to-date.

New plates for private hire vehicles

A new plate is required for a private hire vehicle that has never been licensed in Liverpool. The cost of a new plate is £175.00.

How do I apply for a new plate?

To apply for a new private hire licence plate, you must complete the LCC vehicle licence form online below.

Vehicle licence form

What happens next?

When you submit the form you will receive an email with a link to upload your proof documents. These can be scans or clear pictures of the following:

  • a current valid original insurance certificate covering the vehicle for use for private hire purposes only. It must state the registration number of the vehicle to be licensed.
  • photographic ID for all the people applying for the plate
  • approved list of directors and articles of association if the vehicle is licensed to a company
  • Certificate of Compliance issued and stamped by an approved test station. This certificate is valid for 30 days only and can only be used once.
  • an MOT certificate for the vehicle, no older than 30 days
  • V5 log book to determine the age of the vehicle

You can no longer submit documents by email as they will not be processed. Need some guidance on uploading the proof documents? Watch or read the 'how to' guide.

When you have completed the process, we will call you to arrange payment.

Renewing a private hire or Hackney licence plate

You must renew a private hire or Hackney licence plate every year. You can renew the plate from one month before it is due to expire. The cost of renewing a licence plate is £170.00

Please note: If your private hire vehicle is over eight years old or Hackney cab is over 11 year old, the plate must be renewed every six months.

How do I apply to renew a plate?

To renew a licence plate, you must complete the LCC vehicle licence form online below.

Vehicle licence form

What happens next?

When you submit the form you will receive an email with a link to upload your proof documents. These can be scans or clear pictures of the following:

  • a current valid original insurance certificate covering the vehicle for use for private hire purposes only. It must state the registration number of the vehicle to be licensed.
  • photographic ID for all the people applying for the plate
  • approved list of directors and articles of association if the vehicle is licensed to a company
  • Certificate of Compliance issued and stamped by an approved test station. This certificate is valid for 30 days only and can only be used once
  • an MOT certificate for the vehicle, no older than 30 days
  • V5 log book to determine the age of the vehicle
  • the old plate for both Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles

You can no longer submit documents by email as they will not be processed. Need some guidance on uploading the proof documents? Watch or read the 'how to' guide.

When you have completed the process, we will call you to arrange payment.

Transferring a plate

To transfer the ownership of a plate, the new proprietor must complete the LCC vehicle licence form online below.

Vehicle licence form

What happens next?

When you have completed the form, you will receive an email with a link to upload a copy of a valid certificate of insurance issued in their name that covers the vehicle for private or Hackney hire.

You can no longer submit documents by email as they will not be processed. Need some guidance on uploading the proof documents? Watch or read the 'how to' guide

When you have completed the form, we will contact you to pay the £50.00 transfer fee.

Change of vehicle

To change your private hire or Hackney vehicle, please complete the vehicle licence form online below.

Vehicle licence form

What happens next?

When you have completed the form, you will receive an email with a link to upload scans or clear images of the following documents:

  • a valid certificate of insurance - covering the car for use as a private hire vehicle issued in your name.
  • a certificate of compliance - dated within than 30 days of its issue.
  • the log book or bill of sale for the new vehicle.
  • the current plate – if it’s still in date.

You can no longer submit documents by email as they will not be processed. Need some guidance on uploading the proof documents? Watch or read the 'how to' guide

When you have completed the form and uploaded your documents, we will contact you to pay the £170.00 annual fee.

If your private hire vehicle is over eight years old or Hackney cab is over 11 year old, the plate must be renewed every six months.

Card payments

All Hackney carriages must have a card payment facility for debit, credit and contactless card payments.

Inspections following a defect or suspension notice

If your vehicle needs to be inspected to make sure you have put right any defects listed on a defect or suspension notice, please visit Great Homer Street Market, Virgil Street entrance, L5 5BY on a Monday or Thursday between 1pm and 2pm.

You do not need an appointment but please note that Great Homer Street Market is not open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

You must stay in your vehicle to comply with our Covid-19 safety regulations.