Apply for a taxi driver licence
You need a licence from us to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle in South Gloucestershire.
Check the cost of a driver licence: taxi licensing fees and charges.
The guidance below is for new applicants, for information on how to renew a driver licence go to the renewal page.
To work as both a hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire driver, you should apply for a dual licence. You can also apply to only work as a private hire driver.
A driver licence can be granted for up to 3 years.
If you want to use your own vehicle you will also need a vehicle licence.
Eligibility
To become a taxi driver you must:
- have had a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years
- have the right to work in the UK
- meet our ‘fit and proper’ person criteria
How to apply
There is a 2 stage process:
- You must pass all the necessary pre-application requirements
- Complete your application online and upload any required supporting evidence
You should also read our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy.
Pre-application requirements
You will need to complete the assessments, checks and training in the order listed below.
If you cannot expand the sections below, try refreshing your browser.
1. Learning and suitability assessment
This is an in-person training session which costs £190.35
It covers:
- safeguarding
- equality duty
- law and conditions
- plying for hire
- customer care and safety
- English language proficiency
- vehicle maintenance
It will take around 3 hours and is held at our Broad Lane offices in Yate.
You need to pass a written and verbal test at the end of the assessment.
To make a request email taxilearning@southglos.gov.uk and include your full name, address, date of birth, phone number and include a photo or scanned image of the front and back of your current driving licence.
Once we receive your email we will phone you as soon as we can to carry out a pre-assessment.
Terms and conditions for booking and attending the learning and suitability assessment
2. Child safeguarding awareness training
You must complete child safeguarding awareness training.
The training helps drivers recognise and respond to concerns about child exploitation.
You need to book this training with our approved provider ‘Safe In Your Hands’.
Visit the Safe In Your Hands website, choose ‘New Driver’ from the drop-down menu, enter the password that you have been given following completion of the learning and suitability assessment.
Full details about the training session and the cost will be available once you have entered the password.
3. DBS enhanced disclosure check and update service subscription
You need to get an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check to prove you do not have a criminal history that would stop you from being a taxi driver.
For your DBS check you will need to apply online on the TaxiPlus website. Find answers to common questions about the process.
Once you receive your DBS certificate, you must sign up for the DBS 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.
If you have recently moved to the UK or have been out of the country for 6 months or more read the guidance on GOV.UK If you have any questions email taxis@southglos.gov.uk
4. Driving assessment
You must pass a driving assessment. This has to be booked with one of our approved providers:
Booking details and costs are stated on each service provider’s website.
5. Disability awareness training
From 1 April 2025 you must pass disability awareness training. This has to be booked with one of our approved providers:
Booking details and costs are stated on each service provider’s website.
6. DVLA Group 2 medical
You need to have a Group 2 medical assessment by a registered medical practitioner.
You need to book an appointment with a medical practice that provides them.
The medical practitioner needs to record their assessment on a D4 medical form.
We do not accept medical certificates issued by Doctors on Wheels following guidance from DVLA.
.
Completing your application
Once you have passed all the assessments, checks and training, the next stage is to complete your application online.
You must declare any convictions, cautions and endorsements.
Payment will be required as part of the online application process. You can pay by debit or credit card. We do not accept American Express.
Supporting information required
You will need to upload copies of:
- evidence showing you have passed the learning and suitability assessment (dated less than 3 years ago)
- your child safeguarding awareness training certificate
- your enhanced DBS disclosure dated less than 2 months ago
- proof that you have signed up to the DBS update service
- your medical certificate (Group 2) dated within 4 months of the date you submitted your application
- your practical driving assessment certificate
- your disability awareness training certificate
- your passport or birth certificate
- your valid driving licence
- 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 for example P60 or a payslip
- proof of your right to work in the UK
- a passport style photo of yourself
You will also need to bring the original documents when you collect your photographic identification badge. We will email you to arrange this.
Privacy notice
Learn how we collect, use and share your data in our licensing privacy notice for taxis and private hire.
What happens next
We aim to process your application within 6 weeks.
Once your application has been processed we will contact you by email with further information on the next steps.
You cannot start to work as a taxi driver until you received the paper licence and collected your photographic identification badge.
If you have declared any convictions, cautions and penalty points (endorsements) 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.
Change of circumstances
You must notify us as soon as possible of any change of circumstances.
Contact us
If you have any questions email taxis@southglos.gov.uk