Applying for a Taxi (Hackney Carriage) or Private Hire Driver Licence

To drive hackney carriages (taxis) or private hire vehicles, you must hold a licence issued by us.

To apply for a licence in Dacorum, you must:

• have held a full car driving licence issued by an EEA member state for at least 36 months. We will refuse applications with between 12 and 36 months, unless there are exceptional circumstances
• have the legal right to work in the UK, and be able to produce documents to prove this;
• satisfy us that you are a 'fit and proper person' to hold a driver's licence.

The 'fit and proper' requirement is wide ranging, but may take into account:

• previous criminal convictions or cautions
• motoring offences or endorsements
• your health and physical condition
• the right to work in the UK
• other such matters as we consider appropriate.

Further information is contained in our  Taxi and private hire licensing policy (PDF 1.4MB). 

Knowledge test

The first step in getting a driver's licence is to pass our knowledge test. This proves applicants have a good knowledge of the geography of Dacorum. It also shows they have an awareness of the rules and regulations that apply to licensed drivers. We also assess driving ability and English-language speaking and listening skills.

Please see our knowledge test page for details on the content of the test.

Applying for a licence

Once you have passed the knowledge test, you can apply for a driver's licence. We will send you the relevant application forms with the letter confirming the knowledge test result.

We will then ask you to arrange an interview with a licensing officer. At the interview you will be able to submit your application. You will also need to provide:

• your current driving licence (both parts if it is a photographic licence). If you hold a European licence, you will need to get a UK counterpart from DVLA before applying
• a recent passport photo
• evidence of your National Insurance number (such as an NI card, a payslip, or a tax statement)
• an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We will provide you with an application form to request this. You must return this to us, along with certain pieces of identification - these are set out in the form guidance notes
• a signed driving licence data mandate. This allows us to confirm your driving licence details using a verification service
• a medical questionnaire completed by your GP. If you are diabetic and undergoing certain types of treatment, we will need an additional declaration form and a hospital consultant's letter.
• a letter from a licensed private hire operator, with an offer of employment (private hire applicants only)
• payment of the application fees (including those for the DBS check, and the driving licence check)

Once we receive your application, we will arrange for the necessary checks to be made on your behalf. These checks may take up to 12 weeks to complete, and you are not allowed to work as a taxi driver during this period.

Determining your application

When we have the required documents and results of the various checks, we will decide your application. Generally, we'll grant licences if the applicant:

• has no previous criminal convictions, cautions, motoring offences or endorsements
• has never had a car driving licence refused, suspended or revoked
• has not previously had a taxi licence refused, suspended or revoked
• has been certified as satisfying DVLA's Group 2 medical standards by their GP
• has the unrestricted right to work in the UK
• is not subject to any other concerns about whether they are fit and proper to hold a licence

If you don't meet all of the above requirements it doesn't mean we will refuse your application. But we will need to consider your circumstances more carefully. We may ask you to attend an interview to clarify certain aspects of your application. Or refer your application to a Licensing Committee hearing so it can decide.

For more on how we decide a driver application, please see our  Taxi and private hire licensing policy (PDF 1.4MB).

If we refuse your application, you have the right to appeal the decision. We will provide you with the details at the appropriate time.

Issue of a licence

If we grant your application, we will contact you to let you know. We will make an appointment for you to collect your new licence and driver's badge.

You must wear the badge at all times while working as a hackney carriage or private hire driver.

If you are working for an operator, you must provide them with a copy of your licence.

You must tell us if you move house or receive a criminal conviction, caution or motoring endorsement during the period of your licence.

Renewal of a licence

Licences are valid for three years (one year in certain cases). We will send you renewal forms towards the end of this period. (Please note: the driver is responsible for remembering to renew their licence in time).

You must apply to renew your licence before its expiry date. We will need your renewal application and payment and time to carry out the checks. If you fail to do this you will need to re-sit the Knowledge Test (and Communications Test if necessary) before applying for a new licence.

Please note: If your licence expires while awaiting responses from third parties you will not be able to work until we issue the new badge.

Contact us

Telephone: 01442 228000 and ask for Licensing
Email: licensing@dacorum.gov.uk