Due to the closure of the Civic Centre to members of the public following the coronavirus outbreak we are changing the way we process your applications. Details of how we are dealing with your application can be found on the Temporary changes to taxi driver and vehicle applications page.

Can Hackney carriage and private hire drivers refuse to carry certain passengers through fear of infection? Information from the Institute of Licensing

Taxis

All hackney carriage and private hire drivers and vehicles operating in Swansea need to be licensed.

Licences are needed for any vehicle that is provided for hire with a driver and is used to carry passengers for payment or reward.

If you want to licence a vehicle only for school transport, airport travel or executive hire you will need to contact us. You can phone (01792) 635600 or visit the Civic Centre. We recommend that you make an appointment before your visit.

For further information on taxi licensing please contact the Licensing Division on (01792) 635600 or email taxilicensing@swansea.gov.uk.

Temporary changes to taxi driver and vehicle applications

Due to the closure of the Civic Centre to members of the public we are changing the way we process your applications.

Vehicles - hackney carriage

Hackney carriage vehicles are black and carry a white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle. They also carry yellow roundels (stickers) on both front doors of the vehicle.

Vehicles - private hire

Private hire vehicles are white and carry a yellow licence plate on the rear of the vehicle. They also carry green triangles (stickers) on both front doors of the vehicle

Hackney carriage and private hire vehicle test appointments

Details of test dates for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are listed here.

Operators - private hire

Most of the operators in Swansea run private hire vehicles although there are some hackney carriage operators.

Drivers - hackney carriage and private hire

All hackney carriage and private hire drivers must be licensed by us and wear a photographic identity badge at all times, when they are working.

Equality Act 2010 information for taxis

On the 6 April 2017, Sections 165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010 became effective. Section 167 of the Act provides the Licensing Authority with the powers to make lists of "designated vehicles" (ie wheelchair accessible vehicles), and Section 165 of the Act then places duties on the drivers of those vehicles to carry passengers in wheelchairs, provide assistance to those passengers and prohibits them from charging extra.