Driver licensing – advice for applicants 

NB If you are interested in becoming a licensed driver please read the Licensing Guidelines, Licensing Conditions and Taxi Convictions Policy documents on this page.

If you are satisfied you meet the criteria to be licensed, then to apply for a new Driver Licence use the online application form.

Using the online form will also allow you to pay the driver licence fee by debit card.

Please note this is for new applications only; existing drivers wishing to renew their Driver Licence will need to use the paper form posted to them.

You must be able to conclusively prove your identity to our satisfaction. All prospective applicants for hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences must satisfy the Borough Council that they are fit and proper persons to hold such a licence. The Council’s policy requires that all applicants: 

  • are aged 18 or over 

  • have held a full driving licence for at least one year 

  • fully complete the driver's licence application form 

  • pass the Council’s test of their knowledge of the topography of the Borough, highway code and the responsibilities of a licensed driver 

  • provide a medical report from a medical practitioner who has access to the applicant’s medical records certifying that they are fit to a Group 2 standard in accordance with the current DVLA medical standards of fitness to drive 

  • apply for an enhanced criminal record disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service 

  • consent to a driving history check from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. 

If you do not actively pursue your application for six months or more, we will treat it as having been withdrawn. You will need to start again if you later wish to become a licensed driver. 

 

All new applicants and those in need of re-checking will have to provide either documentation or a Home Office 9-digit share code proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016. Details of suitable documentation can be found in the document entitled 'Right to work' (see documents on this page). 

 

In the case of new applications, if the applicant(s) is/are not a current dual hackney carriage/private hire licensed driver, they will be required to undertake Safeguarding training. Please book the classroom course provided by the Blue Lamp Trust. Applicants will also need to provide information to allow the Council to undertake a tax conditionality check as set out in the HMRC tax conditionality document. 

 

The licensing team has a responsibility to ensure that licensed drivers are fit and proper persons to hold such licences, given the circumstances of their employment. To assist in making such decisions, a check is made with the Disclosure and Barring Service before a licence application is determined, and thereafter on a three-yearly basis. Applicants may wish to subscribe to the DBS update service and remain subscribed whilst they remain licensed. 

 
NB Please ensure that you have read the application form and all pre-application information before applying to the Council. Your application will be rejected if it is incomplete, and you are not in possession of all the relevant documentation.