Apply for a Hackney Carriage or private hire drivers licence

Apply for a Hackney Carriage or a private hire driver's licence as a new applicant

Until you have a licence, you cannot, under any circumstances, act as a licensed driver or drive any licensed vehicle. Doing so will make you liable to prosecution.

Prior to the issue of a licence we must be satisfied that you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence. This involves you taking a knowledge test and the Council checking your driving record, medical record, criminal record (through a DBS check) and immigration status. The various stages of the process are shown in the steps below.

Please ensure you fall within our policy guidelines before you begin the process.

 Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2020 to 2025

For applicants who have been resident in a country other than the UK we will require an equivalent DBS certificate from that country, please see 5.35 of our policy for full details.

How to apply

Note -  the below information refers to those applying for a new licence, if you are applying for a renewal of your licence the application process and documentation required is explained on the renewal application form.

We can provide you with a printed version of our new driver information pack (£25 fee) - this contains printed copies of all the forms you will require alternatively you can access all the information on our website.

The following information /documents / form are contained within the information pack.

1. Guidance-a step by step guide on how to apply.
2. Guidance regarding our knowledge test & safeguarding/ CSE training
3. A copy of the appendices from Runnymede’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing Policy. This includes information on the relevance of convictions, the knowledge test, the requirements, conditions, bylaws and legislation for vehicles and drivers and operators. For further information the complete policy can be viewed at: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing Policy
4. A medical form to be completed by your Doctor. (note the doctor must have access to your medical records)
5. Licensing fees and hackney carriage fares Hackney Carriage and private hire licensing fees
6. Hackney carriage/private hire Drivers licence application
7. Information on how to obtain your Disclosure and Barring Service certificate
8. Vehicle licence application
9. List of Private Hire Operators

How to make your application

To assist you, the process is shown in the steps below. We have kept this as simple and straightforward as possible. Please ensure that all forms are completed properly and you have provided all the documentation required to prevent delays in the process.

Step One:

Medical examination report

You must provide a medical examination report to demonstrate you meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standard, this must be carried out by your own GP or a doctor who has access to your complete medical records.

Please note that this report will only be accepted by the Council if it is less than 3 months old so you should not delay in completing the rest of the steps for your licence.

Many drivers have found that they have had to wait a considerable amount of time for a medical examination so please book early as you may have to wait a few weeks before you can get an appointment.

Your doctor must use the form supplied by the council for the medical examination.

 Medical examination report for hackney carriage/private hire driver licence

While waiting for an appointment you can if you wish carry on with steps 2, 3, 4 and 5. (Please note - if your doctor states you are not fit to drive your application may be refused).

Step two:

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

You must obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

This is an online application process; full details are contained in the guidance below:

Disclosure of convictions

The original DBS certificate must be submitted with your licence application. Please note that the DBS certificate will only be accepted by the Council if it is less than 3 months old so you should not delay in completing the rest of the steps for your licence.

A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to your application, if for any reason we require further information, or you do not meet our conditions and requirements we will contact you and discuss the matter.

Further information

If you have any questions concerning convictions or motoring offences, see our Hackney Carriage and private hire policy (appendix 'D'), if you have purchased an information pack you will find this is enclosed. Otherwise see  Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2020 to 2025 or contact the licensing section.

Step three:

Knowledge test

You must pass Runnymede's knowledge test.

The knowledge test is designed to ensure you have sufficient knowledge of the local area and the regulations for drivers and vehicles. This is regularly reviewed to ensure it does not become a barrier to applicants.

Knowledge tests

Prior to sitting the knowledge test please ensure you understand our Licensing Policy this includes conditions and requirements for drivers and vehicles as well as statutory requirements. It is essential that you use the study guide contained in the information pack to assist you in gaining the knowledge to pass this test.

Step four:

Safeguarding and Child Sexual Exploitation awareness training

You must complete Safeguarding and Child Sexual Exploitation awareness training; this is an online program provided by Barnado’s, you must have a personal email address in order to carry out this training. As of February 2023, the cost of this training is £15.

To access the training course follow the Instructions below:

• To log-in please click the link
• Add the course: Safeguarding Adults and Child Sexual Exploitation to your basket and proceed to cart.

You will need to create an account to complete the course, once completed download and/or print your certificate, you will need to submit this with your application.

Step five:

Disability Awareness Training

You must complete disability awareness training. This is an online program provided by a number of providers, you must have a personal email address in order to carry out this training. As of February 2023, the cost of this training is £40 -£45.

To access the training course follow the instructions below:

You must carry out this training with any one of the companies below, the links shown below will take you straight to the disability awareness training booking page. It is up to you to arrange the training yourselves the Council have no part in making arrangements or contracts with any of the training providers.

Greenpenny

Blueamtrust

Equo

Once completed download and/or print your certificate, you will need to submit this with your application.

Step six:

Paying for your licence

Your application is not valid until the fee has been paid.

Please note the Council do not accept cash or cheque payments.

The fee can be paid by debit/credit card please call 01932 838383 and choose option 5 to speak to a customer services advisor who will take your payment. Please let them know you are paying for new hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence.

Alternatively, if you would rather a Bank transfer to the account below adding your surname and using code FLRT5840 for 1 year licences and FLRT5841 for a 3 year licence.

• Bank name: Lloyds
• Sort code: 30-80-12
• Account number: 11208060

Step Seven:

Submitting your application

Please ensure that all forms are completed properly and you have provided all the documentation required to prevent delays in the process. Your application will not be considered if you do not submit the correct fee and the required documents.

When steps 1 to 6 have been completed you can submit your application form. You can either post this or hand it in to our reception at the Civic Centre (marked for the attention of taxi licensing).

 New driver application

You must include the following original documents with your application form:

• proof of having passed the knowledge test, (this will be in the form of a letter from the council)
• your medical report
• your driving licence
• a current valid DVLA access code obtained from the online DVLA Shared Driving Licence   service to allow the licensing authority to check your driving record (or equivalent records if applying with a licence issued by another country)
• your birth certificate
• any passports you hold
• proof of leave to remain/right to work in the UK i.e. a biometric residence permit
• two recent passport quality (45mm by 35mm) colour photographs these must be full faced i.e. uncovered (without sunglasses, headgear, veil or similar unless worn for a religious or medical reason)
• your DBS certificate
• in addition to the above (j) for applicants who have been resident in a country other than the UK - an equivalent DBS or certificate of good conduct from that country. Please see section 5.39 of our  policy for full details.
• your certificate for Safeguarding and Child Sexual Exploitation awareness
• your certificate for Disability Awareness Training

Step Eight:

The Council receive your application

Once we received a valid completed application, we will contact you and make an appointment for you to see a member of the licensing team. At this appointment your documents will be checked and the originals returned to you.

Your application will then be considered and provided you meet the requirements your licence will be granted as soon as possible.

We aim to make decision on the granting of licenses within 10 working days of receipt however this is frequently quicker. Delays only occur where there are errors in the application form or enquiries which have to be made with third parties.