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).

Apply for a new Hackney carriage/private hire driver licence (pdf 384 KB)

Renew a Hackney carriage/private hire driver licence (pdf 386 KB)

You will also need to:

  • pay the appropriate licence fee 
     
  • read the guidance notes (pdf 81KB) and step by step guide (pdf 416kb) on applying for a hackney carriage and private hire drivers licence and make sure you meet all the criteria

Testing

To be considered for a new private hire or hackney carriage driver licence, you will need to sit a written multiple choice test. 

Conditions

No conditions are attached to a hackney carriage driver licence. However, there are private hire driver conditions (pdf 11KB).

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 hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy.

Other information