Apply for taxi and private hire licences

Apply for a private hire or hackney carriage licence

Knowledge test

You need to pass the knowledge test before applying for a hackney carriage driver's badge, private hire driver's badge or dual badge.

The knowledge test fee is £60.

Book knowledge test (payment system under maintenance)

You will be sent the revision material by email and around two weeks before the test you will be sent a formal invitation letter by email.

Once you have passed the knowledge test you are then able to submit an application.

Application Requirements

Taxi driving assessment

To book your taxi driving assessment contact Green Penny.

Online training

As part of the application process, you must complete two virtual classroom courses.

Child sexual exploitation and safeguarding

This course aims to give hackney carriage and private hire drivers a knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, taxi driver responsibilities and best practice protocols.

Disability equality training

This course aims to give hackney carriage and private hire drivers a knowledge and understanding of disabilities, taxi driver responsibilities and best practice protocols to provide safe and secure transport to all passengers.

Once you have finished both courses, you must send us copies of your certificates.

We recommend you take these courses with The Blue Lamp Trust. Other providers may be accepted but you should discuss it with a licensing officer before booking.

Medical

When you have submitted a valid application we will send you details of how to take your medical.

You must pass a vocational driving medical at the council's allocated medical centre or your own doctor (medical required on application, then every three years and then yearly after the age of 65 or at any other time required by the council following a doctor's recommendation).

Fees

  • a three year hackney carriage or private hire licence costs £281
  • a dual three-year licence costs £310
  • both fees include £38 for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced application

Apply

Read our briefing note and complete the following forms:

A DBS form will be completed when you attend the council offices with your application. See DBS code of practice (GOV.UK).

You will also need to bring your:

  • driving licence
  • passport
  • document showing your national insurance number
  • and a document showing proof of address where you are currently living (ie household bill) 

Contact the licensing team

Telephone: 01732 844522