Taxi licensing

It is essential to read the guidance notes and our licensing fees information before starting your application.

Downloadable documents

Hackney carriage and private hire licensing guidance 2025 Eastbourne Borough Council (PDF, 1 MB)

Taxi licensing fees for Eastbourne Borough Council 2026-2027 (PDF, 125 KB)

Hackney carriage and private hire licensing guidance 2025 Lewes District Council (PDF, 1 MB)

Taxi licensing fees for Lewes District Council 2026-2027 (PDF, 129 KB)

Privacy notice for taxi licensing applications (PDF, 126 KB)

Recruitment of ex-offenders statement (PDF, 194 KB)

Applications

Apply for a driver licence

Apply for a vehicle licence

Apply for a private hire operator licence

Information on taxis

Wheelchair accessible vehicles

You can download a list of all wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) in Lewes district and Eastbourne borough below.

If you are considering offering a wheelchair accessible vehicle as part of your service, please read the Gov.uk guidance document, Access to taxis and private hire vehicles for disabled users at:

Wheelchair access in taxis and private hire vehicles - statutory guidance - GOV.UK

Downloadable documents

Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) for Eastbourne borough (PDF, 151 KB)

Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) for Lewes district (PDF, 159 KB)

Vehicles suitable to licence

You can download a list of all vehicles currently licensed by Eastbourne borough and Lewes district councils below.

Downloadable documents

Pre-approved vehicles list (Excel doc, 18 KB)

Replace lost or stolen licences, badges, vehicle plates or livery

You can use the information provided here to request replacements plates, badges and door signs for your vehicle.

• You must have your badge and plates displayed at all times and inform us immediately if you need replacements.
• If your plates or badge are stolen you must report it to the police and get a crime reference number (CRN) otherwise we will charge you for replacements.

Apply for replacement items

To order replacement items please pay the fee/s online & then email the receipt/s (or CRN), along with a passport style photo for your badge or your vehicle registration and plate number, to [email protected].

You can pay the relevant fee with credit card on our website following this link:

Pay a licensing fee

Accident in your vehicle

The holder of a vehicle licence must report an accident within 72 hours of an accident taking place. Failure to notify the council within 72 hours is an offence under section 50(3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.  Refer to the Hackney carriage and private hire licensing guidance for clarification on the expectations for reporting.

Report an accident

Please complete the below accident report and email it along with photos of any damage to the vehicle to [email protected].

What happens next?

A member of our licensing team will review the report and advise you of the next steps.

If the vehicle is not roadworthy it will be immediately suspended and you'll be issued with a stop notice, which will explain the reasons and grounds for the suspension.

Downloadable documents

Report an accident to a taxi or private hire vehicle form (PDF, 143 KB)

Complaints

If you wish to report a licensed driver, vehicle or private hire operator please use the link below:

Start a complaint

Report points, cautions and convictions on taxi driver licence

Any motoring or criminal convictions must be reported to the council in writing by email to [email protected] within 48 hours of being issued.  Refer to the Hackney carriage and private hire licensing guidance for clarification on the expectations for reporting.

What happens next?

A member of our licensing team will review the convictions and take action in line with the penalty point scheme.

Downloadable documents

Penalty Points Scheme - Eastbourne Borough Council (PDF, 108 KB)

Penalty Points Scheme Lewes District Council (PDF, 90 KB)