Apply for a taxi driver's licence

A one-year hackney carriage or private hire licence costs £163, and a three-year licence costs £192. You will be able to choose the length of licence you require within our online application form. A dual taxi driver's licence costs £192. 

There are extra charges for:

• a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: £61.50
• a medical check: between £75 and £100 
• safeguarding awareness training: £37.50
• a driver assessment: this will be dependent on the instructor you choose 

You'll pay for these separately.

To apply for a licence you must:

• have the right to work in the UK
• have held a UK driving licence for a year
• be fit to the same standard as a lorry or coach driver (see medical fitness to drive)
• not have any criminal convictions that would disbar you from having a licence (see page 15 of the policy)
• have less than 7 points on your DVLA driving licence

Before you can apply for a licence you will need to:

• read the taxi licencing policy (this forms part of your knowledge test)
• ask your doctor to complete a medical examination form (we need to know that you are fit for this type of driving)
• get a licence check code from GOV.UK as you will be asked to provide this during the application
• show evidence of a driving qualification such as a DSA Taxi test, PSV, HGV, CPC or advanced motorist test to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle

If you do not have a relevant driving qualification, here is a list of our approved driving instructors:

• Brian Chidgey - Bournemouth and Christchurch - 07970 482431
• Klaus Mayr - Christchurch and East Dorset - 07375 614377
• Martin Shanley - Bournemouth and Christchurch - 07842 909144
• Martyn Lock - Bridport and West Dorset - 07785 782567
• Jeff Parsons - Weymouth and Chickerell - 07966 506626
• Paul Gowing - Poole - 07949 084908
• Dennis Griffin - Shaftesbury and Gillingham - 07714 323254
• Aubrey Steele - Shaftesbury and Gillingham - 07703 543260
• Gary Stickland - Shaftesbury and Gillingham - 07748 658718
• John Nathan - Sherborne - 07851 193665 

You will need the following to complete this application:

• information about the private hire operator you will be working for
• a passport-sized photograph
• a copy of your DBS certificate (if you have one)
• a passport, birth certificate or share code (this is to evidence your right to work in the UK)
• evidence of a group 2 medical (if you have one. If you don't have one you can supply it later)
• a copy of your driving licence
• a copy of your safeguarding course certificate (if you have already completed the course. If you haven't, we can arrange this for you afterwards)
• your DVLA check code

Register and apply now

Once you have completed your application and paid for your licence, you will be asked to complete the following tests and training:

• driver safeguarding and awareness training (if you have not already done so)
• a knowledge test about the:
  • geography of the area
  • information in the Taxi Licensing Policy
  • Highway Code
• a DBS Criminal Record Check (if you have not done one)