Horse-drawn hackney carriages, also known as landaus, generally operate from ranks along the seafront. The number of horse drawn hackney carriages operating in Blackpool is limited to 44.
Apply for a licence
All horse-drawn hackney carriage vehicle licences are renewed annually between 1 to 7 June. Prior to renewal the carriages are inspected each May by a qualified carriage builder. The application form [PDF 106KB]and fee should be submitted prior to the inspection.
On inspection day the carriage builder inspects each carriage to ensure that they are mechanically and structurally sound.
A licensing officer will issue a clearance sheet to each carriage including the owner's name, licence number and a detailed breakdown of the carriage's colour including details of the trim. If there are any "advisory" comments from the inspector these will be included on the form ("advisory" comments cover minor defects which do not affect the safety of the vehicle and do not prevent the vehicle being cleared for public use).
In addition to the carriages being inspected, the horses are also checked by one of the veterinary surgeons on the council's approved panel of equine veterinary surgeons.
The horses are inspected annually and the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Contact
The licensing service is available to contact by telephone between 10.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday or visit in person by appointment only at the licensing desk at Blackpool Council's Customer First Centre on Corporation Street .