You need an operator licence if you want to operate licensed private hire vehicles driven by licensed private hire drivers.
Applications can take up to 4 weeks to process.
If you want someone else to discuss your application or licence with us on your behalf, you'll need to give us written permission.
Apply for an operator licence
To apply for an operator licence you'll need:
- basic DBS check for each applicant, or director and secretary if a company, no more than two months old at the time of submission or hackney carriage or private hire driver licence number
- list of intended drivers and vehicles to be operated
- evidence of right to work in the UK, if applicable
- safeguarding, complaints and training policies
- completed compliance checklist and relevant documents
- a credit or debit card
- a valid email address
Before submitting your application, read the operator conditions in the pdf Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy(1.16 MB) .
You’ll need to provide us with a physical address within the Bristol City Council boundary before we can issue your licence.
Renew an operator licence
You can renew your operator licence up to 6 weeks before it expires.
Applications can take up to 4 weeks to process so you should submit your application well in advance of the expiry date of your licence.
To renew an operator licence, you'll need:
- basic DBS check for each applicant, or director and secretary if a company, no more than two months old at the time of submission or hackney carriage or private hire driver licence number.
- list of drivers and vehicles to be operated
- evidence of right to work in the UK, if applicable
- copies of your safeguarding, complaints and training policies
- completed compliance checklist and relevant documents
- a valid tax check code
- a credit or debit card
- a valid email address
Basic DBS check
The basic DBS check is required yearly for all operator licences. You'll need to provide a check for every applicant. If the applicant is a company, you need to provide a check for each director and secretary.
If you're a licensed driver, we do not need an additional DBS check. You'll already hold a current enhanced DBS check and will be signed up to the update service.
The basic DBS can be no more than 2 months old at the time of submission.
If you're granted an operator licence for more than one year, you must make sure you submit the relevant DBS checks annually.
List of drivers and vehicles
You must submit document a list of drivers(164 KB) and document a list of vehicles(164 KB) you operate to us:
- each month
- on application
- on renewal
You can upload these on our contact form.
Safeguarding, complaints and training policies
You must have a policy in place outlining your safeguarding process, complaints, and training.
We've written pdf guidance on the minimum requirements(163 KB) of each of these policies. You can upload these on application or renewal.
You must also notify us if any of these policies change.
Compliance checklist
There are several requirements you must meet under the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy, in order to be a licensed operator.
We've produced an pdf operator checklist(101 KB) you can use to make sure you meet them. You can upload this on application or renewal.
If you want someone else to discuss your application or licence with us on your behalf, you'll need to give us written permission.
Cost of private hire operator licence
A private hire operator licence may be granted for up to five years and costs:
- 1 year: £343
- 2 years: £473
- 3 years: £686
- 4 years: £851
- 5 years: £1019