1. Get a private hire operator licence
Anyone who takes bookings or supplies drivers for private hire work in England and Wales needs an operator licence. Apply to the council where you will operate, or to TfL for London. The authority must be satisfied that you are a "fit and proper person" and you must accept its licence conditions. A licence lasts up to five years, and renewal needs a tax check with HMRC. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems.
Your driver, vehicle and operator licences must all come from the same licensing authority.
2. License your drivers and vehicles
Each driver needs a private hire driver licence and each car a private hire vehicle licence. Councils set their own conditions. Expect enhanced DBS checks and medical checks for drivers, local knowledge or safeguarding training, and vehicle age and inspection rules.
3. Arrange insurance
You need hire-and-reward motor insurance for every vehicle. Most operators also carry public liability insurance, and employer's liability if they employ staff such as dispatchers.
4. Set up bookings and records
Because every journey must be pre-booked, your booking system is central to your licence. Councils require operators to keep booking records. These usually include the time, pickup, destination, driver and vehicle. Check your authority's rules for exactly what to keep and for how long. A booking app and dispatch system keeps these records automatically.
5. Choose your booking software
Decide whether customers book by phone, website, app or all three. A branded app lets customers book, track their driver live and pay by card under your name instead of a marketplace's. Compare pricing models carefully: per-vehicle, per-trip and commission fees grow with your fleet. Hoppvia's UK private hire booking software costs $1,990 a year for up to 50 drivers with unlimited trips and 0% commission.
6. Plan your launch
Start with a service you can run reliably. Pick a defined area, enough drivers for peak times and one or two customer groups, such as airport runs or local accounts. Test real bookings end to end before you advertise.
Launch checklist
| Step | What you need |
|---|---|
| Operator licence | Application to your council or TfL |
| Drivers | Private hire driver licences from the same authority |
| Vehicles | Private hire vehicle licences and inspections |
| Insurance | Hire-and-reward cover, public and employer's liability |
| Bookings | A system that takes, dispatches and records every pre-booked journey |
| Payments | Card payments through your own payment account |
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check current requirements and fees with your licensing authority.
