Wolverhampton private hire course: how to book and what happens on the day

The City of Wolverhampton Council only processes a private hire driver licence application once you have done its one-day training and assessment course. Worcestershire County Council runs the course for Wolverhampton.

The course costs £50 and lasts about six hours. After the training you sit a written multiple-choice test of 28 questions, and you need 75% to pass.

Sources: Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private hire licence: training course; costs)[1]; Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, About the course; Costs)[2]

Book a private hire course online using the 'Book a Private Hire Assessment Course' link on Wolverhampton's test page (opens in a new tab). Worcestershire's Driver Training team says it cannot book places on private hire courses or change dates, so the online system is the only way.

Before you book, have these ready to upload:

• an image of the front of your driving licence, with all the details on the card clear
• an image of the front of your National Insurance card
• if you do not have the card: a payslip, P60, a letter about your tax, pension or benefits, or the National Insurance section of your personal tax account, with your name and number clear and other personal details covered

Sources: Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Training Programme)[1]; Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, Booking onto a course; Contact)[2]

Worcestershire says you must show the trainer a printed or electronic copy of your booking confirmation email and photo ID issued by a government, such as a photocard driving licence, passport or residence card. If you cannot show them, you will be refused entry.

Wolverhampton's page lists your original photocard DVLA driving licence, proof of your National Insurance number and a copy of your booking email. Bringing all of these covers both lists.

Sources: Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, Terms and conditions)[2]; Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, What do I need to bring with me to my training programme?)[1]

The training covers the subjects Wolverhampton publishes, including safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, county lines, modern slavery, plying for hire, licence conditions, disability awareness under the Equality Act 2010, GDPR, customer care and personal safety.

There is a face-to-face English assessment, followed by a recorded interview if there are concerns. Worcestershire says that if your English does not meet the basic standard, you will not be able to take the written test until it does, and no refund is given once you have attended. The course and test are only in English, with no translation or interpreter.

The written test comes at the end. It has 28 multiple-choice questions, including 8 key questions: 3 on safeguarding, 2 on plying for hire, 2 on disability awareness and 1 on GDPR. You need 75% to pass.

Sources: Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private hire licence: training course)[1]; Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, About the course; Terms and conditions)[2]

• Cancel using the link in your booking confirmation email.
• You only get a full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before the course starts.
• If you arrive late you will not be accepted on the course, and you will have to pay again for a future date.
• If you fail, you can sit the test three times. Read what to do if you fail for resit costs.

Source: Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, Cancelling your booking; Terms and conditions; About the course)[2]

If you applied for your licence before doing the course, email driver.lic@wolverhampton.gov.uk to say you have passed. If you have not applied yet, you must apply within 12 months of passing.

Questions about your badge, DBS or medical go to Wolverhampton's licensing team, not to Worcestershire. Our guide on how to get a Wolverhampton private hire badge covers the rest of the application.

Sources: Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Training Programme)[1]; Apply online for taxi licences (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Licences (Badge))[3]; Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, Contact)[2]