Apply for a combined or private hire driver licence

There are two driver licences that you can apply for:

• private hire driver licence, which will licence you to drive a private hire vehicle only
• combined driver licence, which will licence you to drive both a hackney carriage and/or a private hire vehicle. This licence requires you to pass an additional geographical test with Green Penny
   

New and renewal drivers

Please read our Licensing Policy relating to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade (PDF, 773 KB) which pertains to all applicants.

We'll use this policy to determine your suitability as an Uttlesford District Council driver and to ensure that you meet the 'fit and proper' standard required.
 

How to apply

We will only accept complete and valid applications.

Please provide the following documents.

1. Application form

You will need to complete a driver licence application form (PDF, 363 KB).

2. A full UK DVLA driving licence

You must have held your driving licence for at least three years prior to date of application.

We need to establish the validity of your licence and check for any endorsements. We use an organisation called TaxiPlus to do this.

You will need to pay £14.40 to Taxi Plus for this check.

3. Enhanced DBS certificate

You can apply for an enhanced DBS certificate through TaxiPlus (PDF, 3 MB). The current cost is £69.50.

If you have any questions about obtaining a DBS check then please read the most frequently asked questions on the TaxiPlus website.

4. DBS update

It is a mandatory requirement for every licensed driver to have an active registration with the DBS Update Service. You must do this using the reference number stated on your enhanced DBS certificate within 28 days of the issue date.

Find out about the DBS update service on GOV.UK.

There is a fee of £16 per year which is payable directly to the DBS.

⚠ If the payment card you use to register expires or is cancelled by the time your yearly fee is due, your registration will lapse. You will then be required to reapply for a new DBS certificate and begin the process again. You may also be suspended from working during this time.

TaxiPlus perform our DBS Update Service checks at regular intervals, so we will share certain personal data with them.

5. Certificate of Good Conduct

If you have not lived in the UK for at least 5 years, or have lived overseas for longer than three months within the past 5 years, you need to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.

The certificate can be obtained from the embassy of the country where you lived abroad.

6. Medical

You will need to provide the following documentation to the medical practitioner when you attend your DVLA Group 2 medical assessment.

For the medical you will need:

a. A full and current UK DVLA photocard driving licence
If a photocard licence is not available, please provide your passport.

b. A Summary Care Record (SRC)
This can be obtained from your GP surgery or via the NHS website.
There is information about Summary Care Records on the NHS website.

c. D4 Group 2 medical form
Please provide your medical practitioner with a copy of the D4 Group 2 Medical Form from GOV.UK.
Please complete the 'Applicants' section in grey on page 1 and sign and date the Applicant's declaration on page 8. The rest of the form will be completed by the medical practitioner and then returned to you. Please note: You will need to retain your completed medical form for three years, as our Enforcement Team may wish to see it.

d. Uttlesford District Council medical certificate
You will need to complete our UDC Medical Certificate (PDF, 306 KB).
Please complete the Applicants Details section at the top only. The rest will be completed by the medical practitioner.

7. Uttlesford drivers training course

All new and renewal drivers will need to complete a one day training course with Green Penny.

8. Passport photograph

Please provide a photograph taken within the last six months of your head and shoulders with a light, clear background. The photograph must be no more than 5MB.

9. Driver proficiency test certificate

New drivers only need to undergo a practical driving assessment carried out by a qualified driving test examiner who is DVSA fleet approved. 

You'll need to provide us with the proficiency test certificate.

10. HMRC tax check

Drivers and anyone renewing their combined or private hire licence will need to meet new government rules to provide a 9-character tax check code. This also applies to private hire operators. Please see the guidance on completing a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence on GOV.UK.

If you're an individual, company or any type of partnership you must complete a tax check if you're:

• renewing a licence
• applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that ceased to be valid less than a year ago
• applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority

Please note: This is not required for new drivers unless the above applies.

You must carry out the tax check yourself and an agent cannot do this for you. After you have completed the tax check you will be given a 9-character tax check code, which you will need to provide to the UDC Licensing department with your application to renew your licence, so that we can confirm that you have carried out a tax check.

You will not be granted a licence if you do not give a tax check code to us.

11. Right to work check

We will carry out a right to work check using one of the following methods applicable to you:

A manual check

This requires us to have physical possession of your original identification documents. We will perform this check with you either present in the Council Offices in Saffron Walden, or via a live video link such as Teams. All applicants can use this method.

A check using digital identity document validation technology (IDVT) via the services of an identity service provider

This allows you to take your identification documents to a certified provider for authentication.

The process and list of certified providers can be found on GOV.UK.

This service is available to British and Irish citizens only.

A Home Office online check

This allows you to prove your immigration status digitally without the need to provide us with original documents. You can get a share code online on GOV.UK .

This service is available to non-British and non-Irish citizens only.

We can only accept specific identification documents for your right to work check. Read the right to work checklist on GOV.UK

Find out more about hackney carriage and private hire licences

Get your vehicle inspected

You can get your vehicle inspected at any of the approved garages for vehicle testing in the district.

MOT

You must have a valid  MOT for a hackney carriage vehicle from when it is 1 year old and for a private hire vehicle from when it is 3 years old.

You can check the MOT status of a vehicle on GOV.UK

Accidents

If you have an accident you will need to fill in an accident report form (PDF, 231 KB).

⚠ You must do this within 72 hours of the accident.

Send your completed form to our Licensing team by email at licensing@uttlesford.gov.uk

Change your vehicle temporarily due to an accident or a mechanical fault

You might need to temporary change your vehicle if:

• your insurance company needs to apply for a temporary replacement licence
• you intend to use a courtesy car  
• you are purchasing or have use of another vehicle which you wish to be licensed

You will need to fill; in a temporary vehicle application form (PDF, 57 KB).

Send your completed form to our Licensing team by email at licensing@uttlesford.gov.uk

You can find more information in our Hackney carriage and private hire Temporary Vehicle Policy.