What we need to know

Tell us your licensing authority, badge type, operator and whether your vehicle can still be used for taxi work. We cover all councils.

Check before you drive

The vehicle, driver, insurance and operator arrangements must meet the relevant requirements before passenger work starts.

Council guidance

Birmingham licensing information+

A Birmingham base does not determine the licence

Frontline is based at 1 Nansen Road, Birmingham, B11 4DR. A driver working nearby may have a vehicle licensed by Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton or another authority. Tell us the licensing authority shown on your vehicle documents, rather than only the city in which you take bookings.

Private hire and Hackney carriage are different

Check the correct vehicle licence category before agreeing to a replacement. A private hire car is not automatically suitable for Hackney carriage work. Birmingham publishes separate approved vehicle information and conditions for each category; check the relevant guidance for the proposed vehicle.

Vehicle standards and operator details

Birmingham’s driver and operator guidance covers approved vehicles, licence conditions and private hire signage. Its guidance also says drivers changing operators should notify the council before starting with the new operator. A replacement vehicle arrangement should be checked with the existing operator and, where necessary, licensing.

A practical replacement checklist

  • Confirm the licence category, council and proposed vehicle details.
  • Check that the vehicle is authorised for the intended passenger work.
  • Confirm hire-and-reward insurance and who may drive.
  • Check the operator or app platform’s document requirements.
  • Understand the agreement, ongoing hire need and return arrangements.

After an accident in your Birmingham-plated vehicle

Follow your licence conditions and the council’s current accident reporting instructions. Preserve photos and relevant evidence, tell your insurer and do not drive a vehicle you suspect is unsafe. We can assess replacement needs but cannot approve a vehicle on the council’s behalf.

Read the taxi accident checklist →

Official Birmingham licensing information

Birmingham driver, vehicle and operator guidance provides links to conditions, approved vehicles and signage requirements. Guidance checked 22 October 2026; confirm the current requirements for the individual vehicle.