Private hire drivers licence

This page contains guidance on how to make an application for a private hire drivers licence including information relevant to existing drivers wishing to make a renewal application and anyone interested in becoming a licensed driver.

Before you make an application you should be aware of the following

1. Full British driver's licence, which must have been held for at least 12 months and production of this licence is required at application.
2. The applicant will be required to take and pass a Driver Standards Agency (DSA) test that is specifically designed to test the driving competency of a prospective private hire driver.
3. Applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check. Forms of identity are required with this application.
4. The medical questionnaire must be carried out by the applicant's general practitioner, who will complete the form and to whom payment should be made direct by the applicant. Drivers will be required to provide a medical certificate every 5 years up until the age of 70, when it will be required annually.
5. Applicants are required to undertake a driver competency test with an officer of the Council.
6. The completed forms together with two passport size photographs and should be served on the Council's Licensing section.
7. Incomplete or faulty forms will be rejected or returned to the applicant and not processed until such time as the application is satisfactory.
8. When all the checks have been received back and approved and the applicant had successfully passed the driver competency test a licence will be issued this will take about 5 days.
9. Licences are issued on a three yearly basis. Renewal applications should be made at least four weeks prior to the expiry date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that applications are made in good time.
10. Fee payment is required when initial application is made. The total amount required by the Council will be notified to the applicant.

Application forms

If you wish to obtain an application pack contact us using the details on the left of this page. When you contact us please provide us with the following information:

• the type of application you wish to make and
• contact telephone and email details

Contained in the application pack are:

• an application form,
• a medical form,
• a DVLA form,
• a DSA driving test application pack,
• a competence test - information sheet,
• guidance on applying for a private hire driver licence and
• information about the fees.

Statement of policy about relevant convictions

The Council has a statutory duty to determine that applicants are fit and proper to hold a licence.

When submitting an application for a licence to drive a private hire vehicle you are requested to declare any convictions or cautions you may have. Recent decisions in the courts have confirmed the local authority acting in a judicial capacity may take into account details of convictions regarded as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The information you give will be treated in confidence and will only be taken into account in relation to your application.

You should be aware that the licensing authority is empowered in law to check with the CRB for the existence and content of any criminal record held in the name of the applicant. Information received will be kept in strict confidence while the licensing process takes its course and will be retained for no longer than is necessary.

The disclosure of a criminal record or other information will not disallow you from gaining a licence unless the authority considers that the conviction renders you unsuitable. In making this decision the authority will consider the nature of the offence, how long ago and what age you were when it was committed and any other factors that may be relevant. Any applicant refused a driver’s licence on the ground that he or she is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence has a right to appeal to a magistrates' court.

Once you are ready to proceed with your application.

You must visit the Council offices in person and submit your application to a member of our Customer Services team.

No appointment is necessary to visit our Customer Service team, who are able to make a preliminary check of your application and documents and instruct on fees payments and or provide help with completing the application forms before the they are presented to the Licensing team for processing.