How to get a Birmingham private hire licence: requirements and booking the knowledge test

Birmingham's guide to driver licensing (dated April 2022) lists what you must do to get a private hire driver licence. Check the council's website for a newer version before you start:

• prove your right to live and work in the UK (see our right to work guide)
• prove you have held a full driving licence for over two years
• prove where you live, with two original documents posted to your home address, no more than 10 weeks old
• pass the knowledge test
• complete an enhanced DBS check, or prove good character in other ways if you lived abroad
• pass a medical examination
• pass a Birmingham City Council driving test
• attend a Disability Awareness Course
• provide evidence of an offer of work from a licensed private hire operator

Source: Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, What do I need to do? (page 4); How do I prove my place of residence? (page 5))[1]

Birmingham's knowledge tests are organised and run by TTC Group. To book a test, or TTC's optional training course, contact TTC directly by email. The council says to read its driver guidance before arranging a test.

Once you have passed the knowledge test, you download and complete the application form. The test has 18 multiple-choice questions in three parts: legal, licence conditions and plying for hire. You must get all six plying for hire questions right. Our Birmingham knowledge test guide covers what it asks.

Sources: Information for taxi drivers, private hire drivers and operators (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, Knowledge test; Application forms)[2]; Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, Private Hire test (page 7))[1]

All applicants have an enhanced police check. Birmingham's guide says taxi and private hire applicants are excluded from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by the 1975 Exceptions Order, so no conviction is treated as spent, and you must declare every conviction and caution. If you are unsure, it advises you to declare everything and ask a senior licensing officer before you pay any money. You can also ask in writing for an early decision hearing.

Read our guides to DBS checks and criminal convictions and taxi licences.

Source: Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, Criminal Records (DBS)/Background Checks (page 8))[1]

• Medical: Birmingham uses the Group 2 standard for lorry and bus drivers. Qualified doctors at the council's occupational health department do the examinations, and the guide advises you not to pay for an independent medical unless a council official asks. See our Group 2 medical guide.
• Driving test: all new applicants take a council driving assessment based on the standard driving test, in a manual car suitable for private hire use if you hold a standard licence. It includes questions on the current Highway Code.
• Disability Awareness Course: it covers the Equality Act 2010 and includes safeguarding and child sexual exploitation. See our guide to duties to disabled passengers.

Source: Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, Medical examination (page 12); Driving test (page 13); Disability awareness course (page 14))[1]

You arrange your other tests and courses yourself, then submit the application form with all your certificates. Applications without the supporting documents are returned unprocessed. When everything is in order, the council contacts you about payment and an appointment to collect your badge. The guide says your licence may take several days to process.

When you collect your licence, you must show the part of the application form signed and stamped by a Birmingham private hire operator, showing that you have an offer of work, if it was not completed earlier.

Source: Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, How do I prove that I have an offer of work from an operator?; How do I apply for a licence? (page 15))[1]

If you have lived outside the UK since your 18th birthday, Birmingham asks you to prove good character for every country you lived in, for example with a certificate of good conduct. It must be in English or come with a certified translation. Our certificate of good conduct guide explains how to get one and what to do if you cannot.

Source: Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, What do I need to do if I have been resident outside the UK as an adult? (page 11))[1]