Vehicle licences

Covid-19: 

New vehicles only: due to the current Covid-19 Restrictions once the vehicle passes the test you will receive an email with the paper copy of the licence, this will be followed by the rear and internal plates along with a further copy of the paper licence being sent in the post first class within five working days.

You will not be able to use the vehicle for work until you receive the plates and send us a photo of the rear plate attached to the vehicle securely.

Renewal vehicles only: due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, once the vehicle passes the test you will receive an email with the paper copy of the licence and this will also be emailed to your operator (if relevant).

As long as the vehicle has the required livery on the vehicle (i.e. door stickers and the rear plate), then you can commence work.

You will receive the internal licence within the post within five working days.


Please read our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire policy (pdf) before applying for a licence.

Newport City Council will not licence imported vehicles as they do not comply with our policy.

Any vehicle licensed as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle must be suitable to transport members of the public and must comply with the vehicle specifications set in council policies.

View a list of private hire vehicles accepted by the council (pdf)

Euro standard vehicle requirements

Applications for new and transferred hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences will only be granted for vehicles that meet Euro 5 standard 

Existing vehicle licence holders, i.e. a proprietor who held a current licence before the introduction of the policy and who has continued to renew this licence, may change the vehicle on that licence if it meets minimum Euro 4 standards

Vehicle licences granted after the introduction of the policy will only be granted to replace vehicles that meet Euro 5 standard.

Euro standards

 Euro standard     

    When introduced

 Euro 2

    January 1996

 Euro 3

    1 January 2000 until 31 December 2004

 Euro 4

    1 January 2005 until 31 August 2009

 Euro 5

    1 September 2009 until 31 August 2014

 Euro 6

    1 September 2014

Some vehicle manufacturers introduced the Euro standards to their vehicles before these dates so it is possible, for example, that a vehicle could be rated as a Euro 5 before 1 September 2009 depending on the make and model. 

Download the Hackney carriage vehicle conditions (pdf)

Download the Private hire vehicle conditions (pdf)

Further information

CCTV

CCTV systems can provide a safer environment for drivers and passengers by: 

  • deterring and preventing crimes

  • reducing the fear of crime

  • helping police investigate crime incidents

  • assisting insurance companies investigating motor vehicle accidents

It also allows for an additional passenger to sit in the front seat in a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.  

If you wish to install CCTV in a licensed vehicle you must comply with the Information Commissioner’s CCTV Code of Practice (pdf) which has been adopted by the council.  

When CCTV equipment has been installed, the Code of Practice must be signed by the proprietor of the vehicle licence and the installer of the equipment.

If necessary, the data controller should also sign and the document should then be provided to the licensing department.

TRA99391 18/03/2019