Taxi and Private Hire licences
Please note that office hours are subject to change at this time
Sandwell Council Taxi Licensing is continually reviewing the Central Government and Public Health England advice to keep the public and its staff safe.
Therefore, a number of interim changes to the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Policy Handbook have been approved to allow us to perform the licencing role in a different way during this difficult time.
Where the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Policy Handbook requires attendance in person at the Licensing Office alternative arrangements are being implemented to minimise the requirement to attend the office and this may include submission of documents via email to taxi_licensing@sandwell.gov.uk or by pre-arranged video calls.
Any required attendance at the Taxi Licensing office will be by appointment only from 01/04/2020.
Drivers should continue to check the website for any changes to requirements for document submissions and attendance at the Licensing Office.
Sandwell Council will not be issuing any new driver badges or new vehicle applications plates until further notice. Applications can still be made but processing time may be extended and they will processed up to the point of issue. Badges will not be issued guidance from Central Government and Public Health England changes.
Driver renewals will be processed as normal with all applications made via email. Any requirement to attend the office will be by appointment only as required by the Taxi Licensing Team.
Vehicle renewals will also be processed as normal with the application made via email along with all the necessary documentation. The Taxi Licensing Team will not be issuing a new vehicle plate at this time. Instead an exemption letter will be provided that will allow the vehicle to operate with expired plates until the guidance changes.
A more detailed summary of the changes is available here.
With the exception of these interim changes the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Handbook provides all the information a current licensed driver will require.
Further Covid-19 prevention advice is available for Taxi Drivers.
These frequently asked questions and answers about Covid-19 for Taxi drivers may also help you with your enquiry.
If you have a complaint about a taxi driver/company you can call the Taxi Licensing Team on 0121 569 6655 or email your complaint to taxi_licensing@sandwell.gov.uk including details about what happened, when it happened including the date and approximate time, and include any other details about the driver, the vehicle or the Operator you made a booking with or where you caught the Hackney Carriage vehicle from.
The current Government guidance allows taxi drivers to continue to work, however they do not have to. If you would like to book a taxi please contact a licensed private hire operator direct to check availability.
Opening hours are subject to change at this time. Anyone attending will be by appointment only. This will be arranged with you by the Taxi Licensing Team.
Please contact them by email at taxi_licensing@sandwell.gov.uk and await advice on whether you are required to attend an appointment.
Contact
Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Office, Waterfall Lane, Cradley Heath. B64 6RL.
Email: taxi_licensing@sandwell.gov.uk
Tel: 0121 569 6655
| Monday to Thursday | 8.00m to 12.00noon | 1.00pm to 4.00pm |
| Friday | 8.00am to 12.00noon | 1.00 pm to 3.30pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Please note that the office is closed between 12.00noon and 1.00pm for lunch.
Catch a taxi safely
Licensed taxis and pre-booked private hire vehicles are a safe way to travel, but there are some simple steps you can take to make your journey a safer one.