In order to apply, you must:
- Be a “fit and proper” person, including an operating address within Rother
- Undertake a DBS (CRB) check
You do not need to hold any other licence to be issued with an operator’s licence.
Operator Licence for Existing Dual Drivers
If you already hold a Dual Driver’s licence, you will not be required to undertake an additional DBS check or provide separate references.
- Download and complete our Operator Licence Application Form
- Make a Payment Online
Operator Licence for non-Dual Driver Licence Holders
If your operator’s licence is to stand alone from a driver’s licence, please contact the Licensing Officer to arrange an appointment to which you should bring your completed form, together with:
- Payment for the application plus the DBS check (see Application Fees page). This can be made online before your appointment on our Online Payment System. If you pay online you will be emailed your receipt, please show this to the Licensing Officer during your appointment.
- Driving licence – photo card and paper counterpart
- Passport or birth certificate
- Household utility bill/bank statement not more than 3 months old, confirming your current address
- Passport style photo
- Full address history for the last five years
- Employment history giving name and address for the past 5 years.
Applications cannot be determined until a response has been received from the DBS and the process may take up to 6/8 weeks. You cannot operate as a Private Hire Operator until your licence has been determined.
Operator Licence Renewals
Once licensed, the appropriate renewal documentation will be sent to you about 8 weeks before the expiry of your Operator’s Licence. As part of your renewal you will need to:
- Complete our Operator Licence Application Form
- Make a Payment Online
- Provide a DBS for each person (Director, Company Secretary etc) that does not hold a Rother Dual Driver Licence.
- From 4th April 2022 private hire operator renewals will also need to perform a tax check. Our tax conditionality for dual driver and private hire operators page has further information about this
If you hold a Rother Dual Driver Licence you will not need to provide a DBS for the renewal.
Training
Operators and their customer facing staff are required to complete the mandatory training below unless they have completed it in the last 3 years. This is with effect from 1st April 2024 for new applications and from 1st October 2024 for renewal applications:
Disability Awareness
Complete ONE of the following courses:
You are reminded that it is your responsibility, not the Council’s, to renew your Licence and if you fail to do so before the its expiry then you will not be permitted to make provision for the invitation or the acceptance of bookings until the licence has been renewed.
