Vehicle test availability
The council's Vehicle Management Services (VMS) ordinarily seeks to provide vehicle test availability within a two-week period, however VMS is currently operating with a reduced capacity due to staff absence and whilst recruiting to a vacancy.
The Licensing Service works closely with VMS and we will work positively with licensees and applicants to minimise any disruption. Please be assured that if a vehicle owner of a currently licensed vehicle seeks to book a retest in a timely manner, the authority with not allow the vehicle licence to expire. If you are seeking to licence a new vehicle with Salford City Council, VMS will seek to provide a test slot within a short period of time.
Once a vehicle application has been approved, please first review vehicle test availability and book the earliest convenient slot. Additional slots will be added and opened on a weekly basis as availability allows, in addition to any cancellations becoming available.
If you are struggling to secure a vehicle test slot ahead of an existing vehicle licence expiring, please contact VMS by phone on 0161 925 1042, two weeks ahead of your vehicle licence expiry date.
If you are seeking a vehicle test for a new vehicle licence, once a vehicle application has been approved, please first review vehicle test availability and book the earliest convenient slot and then contact VMS by phone on 0161 925 1042.
Hackney carriage vehicle
A Hackney carriage vehicle (black cab) that is intended to be operated within the city of Salford requires to be licensed with the licensing section.
A Hackney carriage vehicle is more commonly known as a black cab. These vehicles can be London-type taxis (of any colour but are predominately black) or purpose built hackney carriages, made by a number of manufacturers. These will be of a black colour with a permanent fixed illuminated taxi sign on the roof of the vehicle.
A Hackney carriage vehicle can be flagged down in the streets of Salford.
New vehicle applications and renewals
A Hackney carriage vehicle must be licensed with the licensing section.
To licence a vehicle as a hackney carriage you must complete an online application form and pay a total fee of £247 for a 12 month licence. You will need to make an initial payment of £147 with this application.
A further two payments of £50 each will be paid to VMS directly when you book your compliance test. All vehicles must pass a certificate of compliance test before a plate is issued.
New applications
Apply for a new Hackney carriage vehicle licence
Renewals
All Hackney carriage vehicles licensed by the Salford City Council will display a yellow identification plate on the front and rear of the vehicle. Details on the plate are the vehicle number, expiry date, registration number, model of vehicle and the number of passengers it is licensed to carry.
Any person driving a hackney carriage vehicle must also be licensed as a Hackney carriage driver with Salford City Council.
If you have a complaint or concern regarding a hackney carriage vehicle in Salford, please contact the licensing section.
Private hire vehicle
Any person who wishes to operate a private hire vehicle within the city of Salford must be licensed with the licensing section.
A private hire vehicle must be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator before a member of the public can use this vehicle for a journey. These vehicles cannot be flagged down in the street. Any member of the public that undertakes a journey by flagging down these vehicles will be doing so uninsured. The driver will also be committing an offence. Members of the public who wish to book a vehicle must do so through the private hire operator and not to the driver's own mobile phone.
New vehicle applications and renewals
To licence a vehicle as private hire you must complete an online application form and pay a total fee of £123 for a six month licence. You will need to make an initial payment of £73 with this application.
You will then make a further payment of £50 directly to VMS when you book your compliance test. All vehicles must pass a certificate of compliance test before a plate is issued.
Executive hire
If you wish to apply for executive hire, you must first contact the licensing team and supply a copy of your contract to provide executive work. You can contact us at licensing@salford.gov.uk.
New applications
Apply for a new private hire vehicle licence
Renewals
A private hire vehicle licensed by Salford City Council will display an identification plate on the front and rear of the vehicle. The details on the plate include private hire vehicle number, expiry date, make and colour of vehicle and the registration details.
The licensing section is responsible for enforcement and complaints concerning private hire vehicles. See the taxi licensing policy below.
Downloadable documents
- Taxi licensing policy (amended 10 March 2015) (Adobe PDF format, 861kb)
- Statutory declaration form (May 2021) (Adobe PDF format, 116kb)
If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.
This page was last updated on 22 October 2025