How to apply for a Hackney carriage or private hire drivers licence
Application guidance notes
Before submitting your application
Please read these notes carefully and seek independent advice before making your application:
- At the date of application, you must lawfully hold a full UK/EU driver’s licence, authorising you to drive a motor car and you must have held this for a minimum of one year
- Applicants are not allowed by law to drive a licensed vehicle until they hold a valid Hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence. Your application should be made at least four weeks in advance of your anticipated start or renewal date. If you are renewing an existing licence and your application is brought in less than four weeks before the expiry date and a temporary licence has to be issued, then there will be a charge of £20 for this
- A photo I.D. badge will be issued along with your licence certificate upon satisfactory completion of the application process. The photo I.D. badge must be worn or displayed at all times whilst driving a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle
- The Hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence (paper copy) is personal to the driver, but a copy of the document must be held by the proprietor/operator during employment
- A licensed hackney carriage driver will be issued a dual badge to drive both taxis and private hire vehicles. If you hold a private hire driver’s licence, then you can only drive a private hire vehicle
- All licences are valid for three years, or a shorter period if decided by the council
- You are required to inform the council if you have ever been charged, convicted or cautioned with a criminal offence. Failure to disclose full details of any previous convictions or cautions may result in your application being refused. Please see the guidelines relating to the relevance of convictions for details. If you are unclear of how this may affect you, please contact Licensing: Licensing contact form
- Applicants must be proficient in both spoken and written English
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
In the application pack there is a white form for you to complete which will give us the information we need to do an online enhanced DBS check with UKCRB. When this is completed, they will send the DBS certificate to you, not to us. It is important that you bring this disclosure certificate to the council offices when you receive it.
After you have received the enhanced DBS certificate, you must subscribe to the DBS update service.
If your application is rejected
If your application is rejected, the council will give written notification as to why the refusal decision was made. You have the right to an appeal to the magistrate’s court within 21 days of the decision rejecting the application. More information: Guidance for licensed drivers appealing decisions made by the council
Last updated: 20/03/2024 12:11
