Taxi (hackney carriage) and private hire licensing

Apply for a taxi and private hire driver licence

Application packs for driver licences should be obtained from the Customer Services reception desk at the Town Hall, Coton Road, Nuneaton or by contacting the Licensing Team (Contact information below). Applicants wishing to submit completed applications should also take these to the Customer Services reception desk at the Town Hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 - 15:00.

A licence is required before any person can drive a hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle. Licences are issued subject to proof of eligibility (age, driving licence, criminal records check, medical assessment, road knowledge, Right to work in the UK, Child sexual explotation training etc.).

The council issues a joint licence to drive taxis and private hire vehicles and all of our taxi application forms and information you require are available to download except the Disclosure and Barring Service application. Unfortunately, this is not available in electronic format and must be collected from the Town Hall.

How to apply

The licence is usually valid for 3 years (although in certain circumstances a shorter period may be granted)
An application form and original,supporting documents must be submitted in person at the Town Hall with the fee (see below)
You will be subject to a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service for a disclosure report of convictions
You will be required to undergo a medical examination with a Doctor of your choice
New applicants must undertake and pass a road knowledge test.
Prevention of child sexual exploitation course (CSE) – since 8th September 2016 all new applicants are required to complete this course prior to becoming licensed.
Confirmation of your Right to work in the UK will be required
Applicants for renewal should ensure that their application is lodged with the Council at least three months prior to the expiry of the existing licence

Current Fees and charges

Application for driver's licence (3 years) £358
Initial knowledge test £64
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check plus Admin Fee £54
Child Sexual Exploitation Training £15
Total fee payable new application £491
Total fee payable renewal application £371
Re-take of knowledge test £64
Replacement licence or badge £25
Additional DVLA Licence Check £8

Conditions

Applications are only accepted to be processed if the application form is completed in full and the correct fee and original documents have been submitted at the same time.

In order to process your application, we need a number of documents as supporting evidence of your identity, as follows:

Your current full driving licence which must have been held for at least 12 months
2 passport sized photographs
Your passport or birth certificate
Completed Disclosure and Barring Service (BDS) application form
Proof of residency/entitlement to work in the UK
One other form of ID which must show your current residential address (e.g. utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months). Mobile phone bills cannot be accepted.
Completed mandate to give us authority to check your DVLA licence
See application form for further information
Full details of acceptable identification documents are available on the Disclosure and Barring Service website

Last updated Thursday, 28th January 2021

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