Before you apply for a private hire operator licence

Includes guidelines for operators and rules you must follow.

You must have an operator licence to run a private hire business.

Operator licence guidelines

Private hire operators must:

  • have a business based in Woking borough
  • accept bookings by telephone or web platforms from a Woking address
  • pass customer bookings to Woking borough licensed drivers
  • only use Woking borough licensed vehicles

You must:

  • check that you can operate or have a certificate of lawful use for your operating base with our planning team
  • be a 'fit and proper person' – which means your background and character will be checked
  • not include the word 'taxis' or 'cabs'

All our licensed drivers and operators are required to know and follow the standards set out in our taxi and private hire licensing handbook.