If your licenced vehicle is damaged or requires repair, you can request a licence for a temporary replacement vehicle.

Guidance for applicants

Any accident or incident should be reported by email to us at taxi.privatehire@bcpcouncil.gov.uk giving the:

• registration of the vehicle
• date and time of accident
• brief description of the damage or problem to the licensed vehicle

We will not issue a temporary vehicle licence plate if the licence holder or driver has not reported the accident or incident involving the vehicle.

The replacement vehicle should be of a similar type or better than the damaged vehicle, and must meet our current vehicle policy requirements in regard to age and mileage. We would suggest you check the approved vehicles list initially to see if the vehicle is suitable.

Hackney carriage temporary replacement vehicle must be white.

Private hire temporary replacement vehicle must not be white, they can be any other colour.

The vehicle cannot be currently licensed by another authority at the same time.

How to apply

You will have to:

• complete the application form
• provide a MOT dated within 7 days of the application
• provide a valid insurance certificate
• provide a V5 form

When we have received and approved all the required documentation. We will be send you details on how to make payment of the fee, together with a reference number. This reference number should be quoted on any further correspondence.

Once confirmation of payment has been received you will be contacted to attend the Civic Centre, Bournemouth to collect the temporary vehicle licence plate in exchange for the plate from your existing vehicle.

You must bring your existing vehicle plate, without it we will not be able to issue a temporary vehicle licence plate to you.

The temporary replacement vehicle licence is valid for 28 days only.

If you need the temporary vehicle licence for longer than 28 days, you must inform us by email, telling us why you need it for longer. Any extension that is granted will require a payment for a further 28 days.

When your vehicle has been repaired, please let us know and we will arrange for you to return the temporary plate and collect the original plate from the customer services centre.