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Private Hire Operator licensing

In this section

If you want to take bookings for private hire vehicles, you must have a private hire operator licence. If you have a base in our district, your private hire operator licence is issued by us.

We have to make sure that private hire operators are suitable to be issued with a licence. How this is done is explained in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. You will also find instructions on how to apply, and what documents you need to send with your application.

The policy can be downloaded here: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing at Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

NOTE: Drivers of hackney carriages can take their own bookings and do not need a private hire operator licence.

Applications

Applications should be submitted with the relevant fee to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

pdf Private Hire Operator application form (1011 KB)

The fees we currently charge in relation private hire operator licences can be found on our Licensing Fees and Charges page.

Read more …Private Hire Operator licensing

Vehicle Licensing

In this section

You can find the vehicle standards for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. You will also find instructions on how to apply, and what documents you need to send with your application.

The policy can be downloaded here: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing at Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

NOTE: Drivers of hackney carriages can take their own bookings and do not need a private hire operator licence.

Applying for a licence

Applications must be submitted alongside all required documents and the required fee.

Your application can be delivered to an officer during a licensing surgery - see more details on our Licensing Surgeries page.

The vehicle will be inspected by an officer before the issue of a licence to ensure that it complies with the licence conditions.

Download the application forms for vehicle licences:

The fees charged in relation to applying for a licence can be found on our Licensing Fees and Charges page.

Read more …Vehicle Licensing

Driver Licensing

In this section

As well as a driving licence issued by the DVLA, you need a licence issued by us before you can drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.

Before we can grant you a hackney carriage or private hire driver licence, we must make sure you are a suitable person. As part of this process, we will require you to take specific tests, have a medical examination, and submit documents confirming your criminal history and your legal right to work in the UK.

It is very important that you understand the application process before you apply. You can find out more about the process in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. You will also find instructions on how to apply, and what documents you need to send with your application.

The policy can be downloaded here: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing at Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

Forms you will need when applying for a license

The fees charged in relation to applying for a licence can be found on our licensing fees and charges page.

Read more …Driver Licensing

Occasional use notices

The intention behind occasional use notices (OUNs) is to permit licensed betting operators (with the appropriate permission from the Gambling Commission) to take bets at tracks used for short periods, where the event upon at which the betting is to take place is of a temporary, infrequent nature.

The OUN removes the need for a betting premises licence for the track in these circumstances.

These notices can only be used for eight days or less in a calendar year, and are usually used to allow betting at point-to-point race meetings.

Applications

The OUN must be served by the person who is responsible organising the event on the track or by the owner of the track. The notice must be served on us and copied to the police at the following two addresses:

  • Licensing, Wychavon District Council, The Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 1PT
  • West Mercia Police, Worcester Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QX

document Download Occasional Use Notice application form (41 KB)

The OUN must set out the day on which the betting will take place. OUNs may be given in relation to consecutive days, so long as the overall limit of eight days is not exceeded in the calendar year.

Provided that the OUN will not result in betting facilities being available for more than eight days in a calendar year, there can be no objections raised to an OUN.

You do not have to pay a fee when serving an OUN.

Gambling for Good Causes

Those involved in fundraising for good causes often organise events involving types of gambling as a means to raise money. Typical fundraising activities that involve gambling include:

  • Lotteries (such as raffles and tombolas).
  • Race nights.
  • Casino nights.
  • Bingo.

Gambling laws allows most such gambling activities to be provided on a non-commercial basis, without the need for permission from the local authority or the Gambling Commission, provided that relevant rules are followed.

Lotteries

A simple advice leaflet on running a lottery, including raffles, tombolas and sweepstakes has been produced by the Gambling Commission.  pdf Read leaflet from the Gambling Commission (258 KB) .

pdf Download a more detailed guide on running small lotteries (238 KB) .

If your lottery cannot be run in such a way as to fall within the definition of an exempt lottery you may decide to register with us to provide small society lotteries. Read about small society lotteries

Race Nights, Casino Nights etc.

A simple advice leaflet on running a race night, casino night or similar event for a good cause has been produced by the Gambling Commission. pdf Read leaflet. (405 KB)

Bingo

pdf Read the 'Organising Bingo for a good cause' leaflet. (506 KB)

Further Information

pdf Visit the Gambling Commission guide (88 KB) for more detailed information on organising non-commercial prize gaming and non-commercial equal chance gaming, including any conditions that must be complied with.

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