Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles
You need a licence to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) in England and Wales.
A PHV can only be pre-booked. Taxis can also be hired at a rank or hailed in the street.
You can be prosecuted if you work as a taxi or PHV driver without a driver licence.
A driver licence is usually issued for 3 years.
There is a different process for and licences in Scotland.
Eligibility
To apply you must be able to work legally in the UK.
You usually need to have held a full British or Northern Ireland driving licence (or a full EU driving licence) for at least 12 months.
If your driving licence is from another country, it鈥檚 up to the licensing authority whether you can get a PHV or taxi driver licence. Check the rules for using your foreign driving licence in Great Britain.
You must also be a 鈥榝it and proper person鈥� - which means your background and character will be checked. You might have to complete an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Depending on where you want to work, there might be other eligibility criteria. For example, London taxi drivers must be over 21.
You may also need:
- a medical examination
- a 鈥榢nowledge鈥� test
- to take a driving test
Apply
Apply to the licensing authority where you plan to work. This is either:
- the local council if you want to work outside of London
- if you want to work in London
If you want both a taxi and PHV driver licence, you might need to apply separately for each.
After you apply
You鈥檒l need an additional vehicle licence if you鈥檙e operating your own vehicle as a taxi or PHV. If it鈥檚 not your vehicle, check it has a vehicle licence.
If you鈥檙e driving a PHV, you or your operator also need an operator licence.
The driver, vehicle and operator (if a PHV) must all be licensed by the same authority.
You need to complete a tax check telling HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) how you pay tax on your earnings if both of the following apply:
- you already have a taxi or PHV licence for one area
- you鈥檙e applying for the same type of licence for another area
Renew
Ask the licensing authority how to renew your licence.
You need to renew your licence before it expires or you will not be able to work as a taxi or PHV driver.
When you renew your licence, you鈥檒l need to complete a tax check telling HMRC how you pay tax on your earnings.
If your application has been refused
If the licensing authority thinks you鈥檙e not eligible for the driving licence, they鈥檒l give you the chance to either:
- provide more evidence
- appeal their decision
If you disagree with their final decision, you can appeal to the magistrates鈥� court. You might need legal advice.