2. Apply for a new hackney carriage driver licence
Hackney carriage driver licences are issued for 1 year on first application. After you've been a hackney driver for 1 year, you have the option to apply to renew your licence for either 1 year or 3 years.
How to apply
Before applying for a hackney carriage driver licence you'll need to make sure that you can meet the conditions of our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy.
Once you have read this, you can apply online by clicking on the blue Start button below. You will need to have the following documents ready to upload:
- A DVLA check code which lets us view your driving licence history online. We have to check this once a year. The check code is case sensitive, so we'll need you to tell us which characters are upper case and which are lower case. The check code only lasts 21 days before it expires and can only be used once, so please do not 'test it out' before providing it to us.
- your declaration that you know and understand your obligations with regard to HMRC tax and self-assessment, and if you have held this type of licence within the last year, a 9-digit tax check code from HMRC. This is to check that you are registered with HMRC for tax and self-assessment, if necessary, and is now required by all authorities as part of the application process. You’ll need to provide this check code every time you renew.
- Documents that demonstrate your right to work in the UK. The Immigration Act 2016 now means that we have to check that all applicants for a hackney carriage driver's licence have the right to work in the UK. The list of documents that are acceptable can be found at the back of the application form.
- Your original photocard driving licence.
- A recent passport sized photograph that is a true likeness of yourself.
After we have received your application
A Licensing Officer will review your application and determine if at this stage it meets the standards set out in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. They will then make contact with you to guide you in completing the rest of your application. We will need to meet with you in person to carry out a new driver interview. Details of what else will be required are given below, but it is important that you wait for an officer to make contact with you before booking any of these things.
- An enhanced criminal record check known as a DBS check. We use a company called uCheck to provide these checks. Please do not obtain your own DBS check independently of our Ucheck process as it will not satisfy our application policy. We will provide you with guidance on how to begin your check and we will need to take payment of the £67 fee. Once you have completed the DBS application online you'll be given a reference number which you'll need to tell us. You'll also need to provide two forms of identification so that we can countersign your DBS check. Documents which are acceptable for this include either your passport or original full birth certificate and a bank statement or utility bill which is less than 3 months old. Once you have received your DBS check back remember to sign up to the DBS update service as this will satisfy the regular 6 monthly criminal records checks we have to undertake, and is the most cost effective method.
- A medical report. Your GP will need to complete a medical report form to assess your health and certify you as fit to drive a taxi. We will provide you with this form. Your GP will charge you for this.
- A taxi assessment. You'll need to pass a driving assessment and test. This assessment is provided by Red One Ltd who are based at Westpoint in Clyst St Mary and bookings can be made either on the Red One Ltd website or by telephoning them on 01392 444773.
- A knowledge test. You'll need to pass our knowledge test and the licensing officer will tell you at your interview how you can book this.
- If you've ever lived outside of the UK for more than 3 months at a time, you'll need to provide us with a criminal convictions certificate or character certificate from each country you've lived in.
- All drivers will need to undertake approved safeguarding training within 12 months of becoming licensed. Details will be provided to drivers in due course.
Any fees you have to pay to complete these requirements are non refundable and are paid at your own risk.
If you are not able to apply online using the Start button, you can download, complete and sign a Hackney Carriage Driver application form and send this to us along with the documentation above to licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk or by post to Blackdown House, Border Road, Honiton EX14 1EJ.
Payment
You will need to pay a fee for your hackney carriage driver licence. If you apply online using the Start button below, you will be required to pay using a debit or credit card when you submit the application. Otherwise, we will accept a cheque, payment over the phone, or you can request a payment link to be emailed to you that you can use to make payment online with a card. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost.
Data Protection
Any personal information which you provide will be held and used by East Devon District Council for the purpose of the Licensing Service to process your hackney carriage driver licence application(s) and administer any licence(s) which are granted. Your information may also be shared within East Devon District Council for the purposes of carrying out our lawful functions. Otherwise your personal information will not be disclosed to anybody outside East Devon District Council without your permission, unless there is a lawful reason to do so, for example disclosure is necessary for crime prevention or detection purposes. Your information will be held securely and will not be retained for any longer than is necessary. There are a number of rights available to you in relation to our use of your personal information, depending on the reason for processing. Further detail about our use of your personal information can be found in the relevant Privacy Notice.