How to get a private hire driver licence in England: the steps and checks

Private hire driver licences are granted by district councils under section 51 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The council can attach any conditions it considers reasonably necessary, which is why the rules you study for the test differ from one council to another.

Section 53 says a private hire driver licence remains in force for three years, or for a shorter period the council thinks appropriate in the circumstances. Department for Transport guidance gives examples. Your leave to remain in the UK may be time-limited, you may have asked for a shorter licence, or the licence may only be needed for short-term demand.

Sources: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 51 (Licensing of drivers of private hire vehicles) (opens in a new tab) (legislation.gov.uk, Section 51(1) and (2))[1]; Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 53 (Drivers' licences for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles) (opens in a new tab) (legislation.gov.uk, Section 53(1)(a))[2]; Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing: best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England (opens in a new tab) (Department for Transport, 6.1 Duration of driver licences)[3]

Section 51 says a council must not grant a private hire driver licence unless it is satisfied of the first two points below, and must not grant one to anyone who fails the third.

• You are a fit and proper person to hold a driver's licence.
• You are not disqualified by reason of your immigration status from driving a private hire vehicle. See our guide to right to work checks for taxi licences.
• You have been authorised to drive a car for at least twelve months, and you are still authorised on the date you apply. A provisional licence does not count.

Source: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 51 (Licensing of drivers of private hire vehicles) (opens in a new tab) (legislation.gov.uk, Section 51(1)(a) and (b))[1]

The Department for Transport's statutory standards and best practice guidance set out what councils should check before deciding whether you are fit and proper. Councils must have regard to the statutory standards. The usual checks are:

• An enhanced DBS check with checks of the children's and adults' barred lists, and continuous membership of the DBS Update Service. See DBS checks for private hire drivers.
• A medical assessment to the Group 2 standard used for lorry and bus drivers. See the Group 2 medical for taxi and private hire drivers.
• A right to work (right to a licence) check, completed before the licence is issued.
• A test of your spoken and written English.
• Safeguarding training, covering how to spot and report abuse or exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. See safeguarding training for drivers.
• Disability awareness training or assessment.
• A search of the national register of refused, suspended and revoked licences (NR3S), which councils in England must make before deciding an application.

Sources: Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards (opens in a new tab) (Department for Transport, 6.1 Criminality checks for drivers; 6.2 Safeguarding awareness; 6.4 Language proficiency)[4]; Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing: best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England (opens in a new tab) (Department for Transport, 6.2 Fit and proper test; 6.3 Disability awareness; 6.6 Medical and vision assessment; 6.7 Immigration checks)[3]; Guidance for licensing authorities to prevent illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector in the UK (opens in a new tab) (Home Office, When should licensing authorities conduct checks?)[5]

Most councils also test what you know about the law, the council's licence conditions and good practice. The format varies a lot. Some councils use a short open-book test, others a training course followed by a multiple-choice test, and some a set of training modules with an interview. The table compares the councils we cover.

Sources: Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, Private Hire test (page 7))[6]; How do I become a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Driver? (opens in a new tab) (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Stages 3 and 4)[7]; Applying for a hackney carriage or private hire driver's licence (includes the driver training policy summary) (opens in a new tab) (Leeds City Council, Driver training policy, sections 1 and 2)[8]; New Drivers (Taxi Licensing) (opens in a new tab) (Sefton Council, 9. Knowledge Test)[9]; Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private hire licence: training course)[10]

Councils run the steps in different orders. Birmingham asks you to pass the knowledge test before you complete the application form. Sefton asks you to sit its test once all your evidence has been submitted. Wolverhampton only processes your application once you have done the training and assessment course. Bradford starts with an online application, then invites you to do the training.

So the first practical step is always the same: read your council's own driver licensing pages and follow its order. Our council test pages summarise each council's process with links to the official documents.

Sources: Information for taxi drivers, private hire drivers and operators (opens in a new tab) (Birmingham City Council, Knowledge test; Application forms)[11]; New Drivers (Taxi Licensing) (opens in a new tab) (Sefton Council, 9. Knowledge Test)[9]; Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private hire licence: training course)[10]; How do I become a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Driver? (opens in a new tab) (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Stages 1 to 5)[7]

The statutory standards say you should have to tell the council within 48 hours if you are arrested and released, charged or convicted. This covers sexual offences, offences involving dishonesty or violence, and motoring offences. They also say councils should check for new DBS information every six months.

Under section 61 of the 1976 Act a council can suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a driver's licence. Reasons include a conviction for an offence involving dishonesty, indecency or violence, or any other reasonable cause. The council must give you the grounds within 14 days. A suspension or revocation normally takes effect 21 days after notice, unless the council says public safety requires it to take effect immediately. You can appeal to a magistrates' court.

Sources: Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards (opens in a new tab) (Department for Transport, 4.4 Licensee self-reporting; 6.1 Criminality checks for drivers)[4]; Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 61 (Suspension and revocation of drivers' licences) (opens in a new tab) (legislation.gov.uk, Section 61(1), (2), (2A), (2B) and (3))[12]