Apply to be a taxi and private hire driver

To work as a hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire driver, you must apply for a dual taxi and private hire licence.

This authorises you to:

• drive a licensed taxi vehicle
• work from all taxi ranks in South Gloucestershire
• be hailed on the street in South Gloucestershire
• drive a licensed private hire vehicle under a licensed private hire operator (all private hire work must be pre-booked)

You can also apply to only work as a private hire driver, which authorises you to drive a licensed private hire vehicle (as above).

All licences must be issued by us and can be granted for up to 3 years.

You will need to complete all the stages below.

Driving assessment

You first need to book and pass a driving assessment with one of our approved driver assessor providers.

These are:

• Diamond Advanced Motorists
• Green Penny
• Blue Lamp Trust
• Drive53

Read the driving assessment requirements

Learning and suitability assessment

The next stage is to complete and pass the learning and suitability assessment.

After the assessment you will receive medical forms for the Group 2 medical check.

Find out how to book a learning and suitability assessment.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) safeguarding awareness training

Once you have passed the learning and suitability assessment, we will tell you when to attend a CSE safeguarding awareness training session.

You can only attend this training if you have passed the learning and suitability assessment or if you are an existing licensed driver.

Find out what to expect and what you will need for the CSE safeguarding awareness training session.

You must bring your driving licence photocard and the original copy of your learning and suitability assessment pass email confirmation. If you arrive at the session without this you may not be able to attend the training on this day.

If you are an existing licence holder you will need to bring your current driver’s badge.

DVLA Group 2 medical

You will have been given medical forms at the learning and suitability assessment. You need to book an appointment with a medical practice that provides Group 2 medical assessments. These are not available at every practice and the information is not published, so you will have to find out from a practice if they offer the assessment.

You need to complete a D4 form and a General Medical Practitioner (GP) must complete and sign the declaration section We do not accept medical certificates issued by Doctors on Wheels as per guidance from DVLA.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure check

You will get an email from Integra, advising you how to:

• complete an online DBS application
• attend an appointment at our Broad Lane offices in Yate to check your ID
• pay for a DBS enhanced disclosure check

Once you receive your DBS certificate, you must sign up for the update service and stay signed up while you are licensed. You need to do this within 28 days of the issue date on your certificate or you will need to complete another enhanced disclosure check and pay the full fee again.

You can sign up to the update service before you get your certificate, but only if you have been given your tracking number from the DBS.

Application form and supporting information

You will also be given an application form after passing the learning and suitability assessment. Read all sections before completing it in full.

You will need to make sure you have all your supporting information ready for the final stage of your application. For this, you will need:

• a fully completed application form
• evidence of passing the learning and suitability assessment dated less than 3 years ago
• your DBS disclosure dated less than 2 months ago
• proof that you have signed up to the DBS update service
• your practical driving assessment certificate
• your CSE safeguarding awareness training certificate
• your medical certificate (Group 2) dated within 4 months of the date you submitted your application
• your passport or birth certificate
• your valid driving licence (more information on driving licences)
• proof of your address dated within the last 3 months (such as a utility bill, bank statement, benefit statement, credit card statement – mobile phone bills are not accepted)
• proof of your National Insurance number
• proof of your right to work in the UK (ask at the time of booking your licensing office appointment if you are unsure what evidence you need to provide)
• a passport-sized photo of yourself
• the application fee (paid by debit or credit card or cheque, we do not accept cash or American Express)

Your licensing office appointment

After you have completed all of the above and have your supporting information ready, send an email to taxis@southglos.gov.uk including your full name, address and phone number. We will contact you to arrange an appointment so that you can submit your application and pay the application fee.

We will verify your application and supporting documents. If you have any questions or concerns about meeting the conditions, you should contact us to discuss this before booking an appointment.

Convictions and cautions

You must declare any convictions and cautions during the application process. We will assess whether a licence can be issued or if it needs to be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for a decision.

If your application is referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee, all documents will need to be verified before a decision. You will need to wait for their approval before returning to collect your paper licence and driver badges. If your application is refused, you will receive a refund of the application fee.