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Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences

A licence is required before any person can drive a licensed Private Hire vehicle or a licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicle.
 
If a person wishes to be licensed we are now issuing a dual badge which enables the driver to drive both types of vehicle, Hackney Carriage and Private Hire.
 
Before a licence is granted the applicant must satisfy us in that:
  • He or she is medically fit;
  • He or she has held a full driver's licence (not a provisional licence) granted to the applicant under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1972 authorising him/her to drive a motor car for at least twelve months prior to the date of the application;
  • He or she must pass a police criminality check carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to ensure safety to the public. 
  • Must undertake and pass a Driver Standards Agency Test before they are licensed. This test details are available from any DSA centre offering the 'taxi test'. Further details can be found on http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa.
  • Will be required to undertake and pass a 'knowledge test' before they are licensed by the Borough Council. The test will cover licensing conditions and procedures, the highway code, knowledge of the local area and basic literacy and numeracy. This shall be organised for you following the submission of a new application and you shall be notified of the date of test accordingly.

Further guidance relating to DSA testing & the Knowledge Test (134kb, pdf)

 

This can then determine whether he or she is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

 

How to Apply

 

An application form can be requested by calling 01553 616200 or email: ehlicensing@west-norfolk.gov.uk or alternatively, download a Driver Application (pdf 195Kb) and return to us at the Licensing Team.
 
If this is a new application you will also be required have a medical and produce a satisfactory Medical Report (pdf 160Kb), which is required to be taken on the 45th Birthday then every five years until their 65th Birthday then annually from this age.
 
You are also required to supply a passport size photograph with your application.
 
Once the application has been completed, you need to visit our Offices, bringing with you the following documentation:
  • The completed application form including a complete Medical Certificate from (and signed by) a Doctor (see above).
  • Your DVLA Driving Licence (original - not a photocopy) showing your current address. If you hold a Card and Paper licence, both parts will be needed.
  • Proof of passing the DSA test (effective from the 1st September 2011)
  • Fee - see link below for up to date charges:

        Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Fees  (13kb, pdf)

  • CRB application with appropriate identification.

If you hold a driving licence issued by Northern Ireland or an EU Country other than the UK you will need to obtain a driving licence counterpart from the DVLA by completing a D9 Counterpart application . Submit this to us with your application to be a Combined Driver.

 

Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Conditions

 

Conditions Booklet (pdf 664Kb)

 

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check

 

To support your Driver Application you will be asked to complete a form to enable us to check with the Criminal Records Bureau for any records held against you. Please be aware that we normally allow approximately up to 6 weeks from receipt of your application for return of these checks as this is the average time that they take. Several forms of identification are required to be supplied when completing a CRB Check Form. The current fee of £49.00 is also applicable.
 
 
Notification of Pending Prosecutions
 
Under the current Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Conditions, a licensed driver must notify us within seven days if they receive any summons, charge, conviction, caution, formal notice or fixed penalty notice. Drivers may use the following form to notify us accordingly:
 
 
Change of name and /or address
 
Condition 7.12 of the Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Procedures and Conditions requires a driver to notify the Borough Council in writing of any change of his/her name and/or address during the period of the licence within seven days of the change taking place:
 
 

Contact Details

 

For further information email: ehlicensing@west-norfolk.gov.uk or call 01553 616200. An answer machine if available on which messages are checked on a regular basis.

 

Last updated: 13 March 2013
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