Taxi and private hire licensing

If you wish to become a licensed driver and work for UBER, please note that UBER does not have a private hire operator licence with East Suffolk Council meaning that we cannot issue a driver licence to you.

We will not accept applications from persons wishing to work for UBER or any Ipswich based companies that do not hold a private hire operator licence with East Suffolk Council. If you wish to work for an Ipswich private hire operator you should apply to Ipswich Borough Council.

Licensed vehicles

Vehicles used as hackney carriages and for private hire must be licensed. This also applies to drivers and, in the case of a private hire business, the operator. Licensing ensures the safety of the public by making sure drivers are ‘fit and proper’ persons and that the vehicles they drive are safe, suitable and reliable.

The council can only licence vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats. Anything above this is dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

If you wish to make an appointment at either Riverside, Lowestoft, or East Suffolk House, Melton, for a new application, a renewal or to collect vehicle plates then please contact our Licensing Team.

Hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire vehicles

The main difference between a hackney carriage (taxi) vehicle and a private hire vehicle is that hackney carriages are permitted to use designated ranks and can also be hailed down in the street. They are usually identified with a TAXI sign on the roof and the council approves the maximum tariff for fares and other charges.

There are two different tariffs for hackney carriages within East Suffolk; one in the north of the district and one in the south (the former Waveney and Suffolk Coastal geographical areas). East Suffolk Hackney Carriage licence holders must choose one of these areas. The vehicle plate will identify the chosen area.

Table of taxi fare tariffs

Private hire vehicles cannot be hailed down in the street and must be pre-booked via the office or base of a licensed ‘private hire operator'. Private hire vehicles must not have roof signs but are permitted to have stickers and signs. There is no set fare for a private hire vehicle journey, so the fare price should be confirmed at the time of booking.

Hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire vehicles in our district are required to have large licence plates fixed to the rear of the vehicle showing the council’s logo, the licence number, vehicle type and registration, and the licence expiry date. A smaller version of this licence plate must also be displayed on the inside of the front screen of the vehicle.

In addition to this the licensed driver is required to wear an identity badge showing the driver’s licence number, an ID photo, and licence expiry date.

Hackney carriage and private hire licence fees and charges

Public registers of hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire licences

Our public register of licences has been divided into North and South areas. These areas reflect the former licensing authority districts.

East Suffolk South hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire licence register
East Suffolk North hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire licence register

Complaints about taxi and private hire licensing issues