To help taxis, drivers, and passengers to be COVID-secure, we're paying for internal screens, fitting, and face coverings. This is currently only available for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles licensed with Middlesbrough Council. Read more about the support for taxi drivers.
If it's necessary to travel by taxi or private hire vehicle, government guidance should be followed as much as possible, including washing your hands as soon as you get home. Read more about staying safe outside the home.
Passenger logs for test and trace
Download and print extra passenger log sheets (DOC)
Extending the age limit of licensed vehicles
We are getting enquiries from proprietors with licensed vehicles which are due to reach our stated maximum age limit. This is 8 years for saloon vehicles, and 10 years for wheelchair accessible vehicles. These enquiries relate to financial hardship caused by the coronavirus, which is making it difficult for proprietors to afford to buy a new/replacement vehicle. We're being asked whether we would consider allowing an extension to the current age limits given in our policy.
We will consider all requests from proprietors to depart from the age limits in the policy, to grant a 1 year extension to all vehicle licences which are due to reach the maximum age limits up until 31 December 2020. It is the responsibility of the proprietor to apply to us for the extension and set out the reasons why they are making the application.
Protective screens in taxis
We are temporarily allowing drivers to fit protective screens in their vehicles to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading. Read the full guidance about installing a protective screen in your vehicle.
Critical Worker status
Taxi and private hire drivers should not generally be considered Critical Workers. Those undertaking Home to School transport or the transport of 'extremely vulnerable' people may be considered Critical Workers on a case-by-case basis.
Taxi licensing process changes
We've made some temporary changes to our taxi licensing process as a result of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Application forms and information
| Hackney Carriage / Private Hire driver licence |
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| You must apply for a HC/PH driver’s licence online. See guidance and apply now. |
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Vehicle licence |
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You must apply for a HC/PH vehicle licence online. See guidance and apply now. View the engineer report and JIG report approved providers list |
| Private hire operator licence |
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| Private hire vehicle operator - application (new licence) |
| DBS policy and procedure |
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| Middlesbrough Council DBS policies (handling of DBS certificate information, Licensing service privacy policy, and suitability of ex-offenders for employment policy) |
| Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) privacy policy |
| Guidance on convictions |
| Equality Act 2010 |
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| List of wheelchair accessible vehicles |
Public registers
The council is required to maintain and publish a list of all licensed taxi drivers and licensed hire vehicles. You can use the online form to search for any licences which have been granted, suspended or reinstated in a particular month.
