Become a Taxi Driver

You are required to pass and complete all the below before booking an appointment to submit your application:

• pass the Knowledge and Competency Test

• undertake the safeguarding course

• pass the driving assessment

• applied for an enhanced DBS or be registered on the Update Service

• right to work

• DVLA driving licence and share code check

• tax check

• declared fit on the medical

• completed HDC driver application form

• provide an up-to-date colour passport-style photograph of yourself.

You are required to undertake our approved safeguarding course before a licence is granted.

Details of the 2 approved courses are:

• Blue Lamp Safeguarding

or

• High Speed Training Safeguarding

Our approved assessor is Blue Lamp Trust. Please visit their website to book an assessment and for further information about what's involved.

Date of completion must be no more than 12 months from submission of the new driver application.

You must obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Records Check. You can apply for this online - view further information and instructions. If you have a conviction, caution, reprimand or warning that you think may affect your application, please fully read our convictions policy.

Not on the Update Service:

If you are not signed up to the Update Service you will need to undertake the online enhanced check through Care Check - the link provides further information on how to apply.

If you have not been living in the UK continuously during the last five years, you are required to obtain a statement of good conduct (also known as a certificate of good character) before your application can be submitted.

The statement must be in English and be provided by relevant Embassy or police force in the country where you lived/worked. You must arrange, supply and pay for the statement.

On the DBS Update Service:

If you have a suitable Enhanced DBS Certificate registered with the DBS Update Service, you must provide the original certificate to allow us to check the online records.

You must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK. The Immigration Act 2016 requires us to check the status of all new applicants.

In line with the current changes, we no longer accept biometric residence permit cards. You will be required to obtain a Share Code and provide this to us to allow the right to work check to be made.

You will be required to provide your valid DVLA photocard as part of the application.

You also are required to obtain a DVLA share code as part of the application. Please visit GOV.UK to get a code for us to check your licence. You must do this no more than 2 weeks before submitting your application.

Following new guidance, you are now required to provide a HMRC share code regarding your tax status.

A completed Declaration form [PDF, 0.1MB] and Group 2 Medical [PDF, 0.5MB] examination must be completed by a registered general practitioner (GP).

Where a medical is not completed by the applicant's own GP, full medical records must be provided to the GP undertaking the medical assessment. This is to ensure you are fit to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle. You will have to pay the fee for the medical directly to the GP. 

This will then be required every 6 years, annually after reaching the age of 65 or if the GP states a period of time.

You are required to fully complete the HDC Driver Application form [PDF, 0.3MB]