Apply to be taxi or private hire driver

How to apply or renew your private hire or taxi driver licence

You need a licence if you intend to drive a vehicle as a taxi (referred to by law and on this website as a 'hackney carriage', which is a vehicle booked in advance, hailed from the street or hired from a taxi rank) or private hire (booked in advance only). An application for a hackney carriage licence will automatically include Private Hire, however a person can apply solely for a private hire licence. 

Apply to be a Taxi or Private Hire Driver

Please be aware that new applications can take several weeks to progress as there are various checks that you will need to complete. 

You will need to complete the application and: 

  • pay the appropriate licence fee  
  • Provide an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate dated less than three months old at the date of issue by the DBS. We would advise that you examine our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for guidelines relating to the relevance of convictions. Pending, spent and unspent convictions/cautions will be considered.  
    With effect from 1 April 2022, all new driver applicants and existing driver licence holders upon renewal application, are required to subscribe to the DBS update service and give consent to the checking of the status of their DBS certificate online at any time.
  • Have passed two of a choice of qualifications relevant to driving a taxi/private hire vehicle, and carrying passengers. (See page 11 of the policy, and check for suitable providers)
  • Have a valid Group 2 medical certificate completed by a doctor with access to your medical records. Group 2 medicals are completed in line with Guidance on assessing fitness to drive
  • Have passed tests set by the council, covering local geography and general numeracy (new Hackney Driver applicants only).

Further advice and guidance can be found within the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. This should be read so that applicants are aware of the expectations placed on Hackney and Private Hire Drivers working within the North Devon Council area. All drivers are expected to comply with a Code of Good Conduct. We also have an adopted dress code for licensed drivers. These can be found under Appendix C and D of the policy.

Conditions

North Devon Council solely issue joint hackney carriage and private hire drivers licences which will be subject to the Private Hire conditions  found in Appendix O of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Licence applications and queries

Should you have any queries regarding your application or licence please complete an online request.

Other information