Taxi or Private Hire driver licence

Introduction

Anyone who drives a hackney carriage (more commonly called a ‘taxi’), or private hire vehicle must hold a hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence, issued by us.

To apply for a taxi or private hire driver’s licence you will need:

• a valid driving licence
• a medical assessment
• an enhanced DBS check
• a DVLA driving licence check
• completed a knowledge test
• safeguarding training
• complete a practical driving test
• completed a Disability Awareness course (applicable to the South Somerset area)

Fees and charges

Current fees and charges can be found on our Fees and charges page.

Before you start

If you’re applying for a licence in the former Mendip area, you must read our Mendip – Taxi Policy 2018 (PDF 1.5MB) and Driver and New Applicant Information Pack (PDF 160MB). It explains the requirements relating to drivers and how we deal with applications.

The things that are most likely to be a barrier to you successfully applying for a driver’s licence are:

• having a criminal record
• having points on your DVLA driving licence
• having a significant health issue

We suggest that if any of these apply to you, contact us before applying for licences and spending money. Please be honest with us and yourself about the above. We will not be supportive if it comes to light that you have knowingly failed to disclose something to us. We want to try and help you, not restrict you.

Our policy also states that you must live in the Mendip area. If not, you must satisfy us that that you will be working in the Mendip area for a Mendip-based company.

The application process can take several weeks if you have to wait for your DBS result and supporting documents, so please plan ahead.

As standard, licences are issued for 3 years and are dual use, this allows the holder to drive both a Hackney Carriage and a Private Hire Vehicle, upon request the licences can be granted for shorter periods as well as restricted to one vehicle type.

Application process

New driver applications

For a new hackney carriage, private hire or dual driver’s licence you will need to complete the following before submitting your application form:

1. Complete the knowledge test – This includes questions on our taxi policy and conditions, some geographical locations in Mendip and the South West. It also includes a section on highway-code road signs. You may be required to sit a basic literacy and numeracy test as part of this assessment. Your knowledge test can be booked by emailing CHCase@somerset.gov.uk.
2. Enhanced DBS and Update Service –  Taxi Plus undertake DBS checks on our behalf. You will need to make an online payment and provide your identity documents to Taxi Plus. The whole DBS process is carried out by Taxi Plus, so please do not contact us regarding your DBS application form. Once you receive your certificate, this can be uploaded as part of your application process, please attach a photo or scan of both sides of your certificate, ensuring it is clear and legible. You must join the Update Service within 30 days of the issue date on the certificate. Failure to join within 30 days will require a new certificate and payment.
3. Driving Licence – You must have held a full GB driving licence for at least 12 months, which you must submit via Taxi Plus service. This enables us to carry out a driving licence check.
4. Driving Assessment- All drivers are required to pass the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) taxi driver assessment or an equivalent practical driving test for taxi and private hire drivers.  We have a list of providers of the practical driving test for taxi and private hire drivers (PDF 247KB).
5. Certificate of Fitness to Drive (Medical)– Completed medical certificate (PDF 153KB). This is required to be completed by a Registered Medical Practitioner. You will need to take this document to your medical, which then must be returned to us. This can be accepted for up to 4 months from the examination date.
6. Safeguarding– You will be required to attend a training session, this will give you a clear understanding of safeguarding, which will support you in your role as a licensed driver. Safeguarding training is administered by Trust2ride on behalf of Somerset Council and can be booked through Trust2ride website.
7. Proof of right to work – To check this we will need to see either a UK passport or a birth certificate and an official document showing your national insurance number. If you are not a UK citizen, please visit Prove right to work website.
8. Tax Conditionality– The government has introduced new tax requirements for renewals of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers from 4 April 2022. For information on how to complete a check please visit  Tax check factsheet – GOV.UK and Complete a tax check for a taxi or private hire – GOV.UK.

Apply for a Grant or Renewal of your Taxi or Private Hire driver licence

To apply or renew your Hackney Carriage, Private Hire or Dual Driver’s licence, use our online form:

You will need to complete or upload the following documents:

• Application form – the completed application form and payment of the appropriate fee
• A Passport sized photograph for your driver’s licence ID badge
• Safeguarding – You will be required to attend a training session to refresh your understanding of safeguarding. Training is provided by Trust2ride on behalf of Somerset Council and can be booked through the Trust2ride website. You can find other training courses which are acceptable as a renewal refresher. You can read more on the websites of  The Blue Lamp Trust, Care Academy, Green Penny, High Speed Training, NSPCC Learning and Training Express

If we grant you a licence, we will aim to give you a paper licence and badge within 14 days of reaching a decision. If we do not to grant you a licence, we will send you a notice and you can appeal the decision.

You will get a licence document and badge. The badge must be worn at all times when you are working. The licence will last for the duration of the licence as granted.

You will need to apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence or apply for a private hire vehicle licence for any vehicle that you drive.

National Taxi Driver revocation and refusals database

Somerset Council uses the National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals and Revocations (NR3) to check whether taxi and private hire driver applicants have previously had a licence refused or revoked by another licensing authority.

We check the register for all new and renewal applications. If we refuse or revoke a licence, we may add basic identifying details to the register and share information with other licensing authorities where appropriate. The register does not show the reason for a refusal or revocation, so we will follow up any match before making a decision.

For more information, read our Policy on the Use of NR3 – The National Register of Refusals and Revocations for Drivers (PDF 155KB) and Frequently Asked Questions on NR3 (PDF 105KB).

Lost or damaged driver badge

If you have lost or damaged your driver badge you need to report this to us and apply for a replacement, for which there is charge. Contact us for more details.