To find out more about applying to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle visit the Business Link website.
You must apply for the driver licence first, as a vehicle licence will not be issued until there is a licensed driver for that vehicle. Each application will be considered on its own merits in accordance with the relevant policies.
Driver checks
Before a driver licence can be issued the following checks will be carried out to determine if you are a 'fit and proper' person to be issued with a licence:
- Driving licence check - DVLA
- Medical - with our nominated Occupational Health Doctor
- Two character references
- Driving Standards Agency - DSA - test
- Criminal Records Bureau - CRB - check
- Certificate of Good Conduct*
- Ramp training
*An authenticated certificate of good conduct should be obtained by applicants who have not been resident in the United Kingdom for the previous 5 years. You must obtain this from your appropriate embassy and this must be provided in English.
Driver tests
If all the above checks are passed, you will need to pass the following tests:
- Highway code
- Legal knowledge
- Street knowledge
For details of current charges, please refer to the fees list. Please note that these fees are non-refundable.
Documents needed
You must provide original copies of the following documents ensuring that they all show your full name and your current address. Without these documents your application cannot proceed:
- A valid passport
- If appropriate, a valid visa stamp in your passport - we are unable to accept letters from the Home Office
- Your DVLA licence including the paper counterpart
- Two recent utility bills - less than 3 months old
The application process
You have 3 months from the initial application to complete the process. After this time, any incomplete application will be closed and any subsequent application will be treated as new. If you have any further questions contact the Taxi Licensing Service.
Under no circumstances is it permitted for someone to act as a private hire or dual driver for hire or reward before they have a Wokingham Borough Council driver's badge.
