How to apply or renew a licence to be a driver of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle
Who can apply?
You can apply to become a taxi driver if you're over 18 years old and have held a full DVLA driving licence for at least 12 months.
You must also:
- be medically fit
- pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- pass a driving standards test
- pass our knowledge test
- prove your right to work within the UK - find out how on our right to licence check page
Apply to be a driver
You can apply to be a taxi driver online. You can now track the progress of your application through registering for our My Account service.
You'll be able to view personalised information, including your renewal date and the details we hold for your licence.
Registering for an account is easy and will allow you to securely access our services 24/7.
To apply for a taxi driver licence you'll need:
- a debit card or credit card for the fee (you'll need to pay the licence fee, and also the fee for the knowledge test)
- DVLA driving licence number
- National Insurance number
- postcode
Afterwards, you'll need to contact us to book a 15 minute appointment to bring in your supporting documents*
*Alongside your application you'll need to supply:
- a passport sized photo (that has been certified as a true likeness from a non-family member)
- your original driving licence
- the further documents outlined below
Supporting documents
Please provide the following supporting documents/information:
Medical report
With your application, you'll need to provide a medical report. This will need to be completed by a doctor. Once your licence is granted, you'll need to provide a new medical report:
- at the age of 45
- every five years from your 45th birthday
- once a year from the age of 65
DBS check
As a private hire or taxi driver you will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service Check upon initial application. You are then required to register to the online update service so we can check your criminal record every 6 months thereafter.
You'll need to produce three forms of identification for the DBS check. You can find more information about what's required on our DBS - confirming your identity document, or on the GOV.UK website.
If you would like to apply for your DBS check through us, we can send you an application form. Please contact us to request this.
The fee for the DBS application is £55. It can take up to six weeks for you to receive your DBS back.
Driving assessment and knowledge test
You'll need to have passed a driving standards (DSA) test.
You'll need to also pass our in-house knowledge test. Our knowledge test has questions on:
- basic English and maths
- the Highway Code
- conditions and places of interest
There will be a total of 30 questions. A pass mark of 26/30 (85%) is required. In addition, there's a safeguarding test which involves reading material followed by a test with five questions. The pass mark for the safeguarding test is 100%. The fee for the test is £36 (paid with your taxi driver's application). We'll notify you of your test date.
For guidance on the format of our knowledge test and DSA test, please view our knowledge test guidance document.
Driving licence counterpart
If your driving licence is a non GB driving licence you may need to complete some additional forms on the Gov website available at the following link https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence.
Fees
A Combined Driver Licence is issued for three years and the fee is £125.00.
A one year licensed can be issued (if you have reasons why you only want one year and this has been agreed - please request this in writing). The fee for one year is £74.
You'll also have to pay us a fee for your knowledge test, and your DBS (if you’re applying for it through us). Our full list of fees can be found at the bottom of this page.
Licence renewal
Before your licence expires you'll need to apply to renew it.
We'll send you a letter to remind you to renew your licence. The letter will give you instructions on the renewal process.