Apply for, renew or extend a driver licence (hackney carriage or private hire)
We have an online form you'll need to complete to apply for a licence to drive a taxi (hackney carriage) or private hire vehicle.
What you'll need to upload when you apply
You'll need a debit or credit card to pay for the application. You'll also need the evidence listed below.
Ensure the documents you upload:
- are clear and can be read easily
- show all 4 corners of the document
You'll need to upload:
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate
This needs to:
- be your most recent certificate
- include checks on the adult and child barred lists, which must be signed up to the Update Service (you can check if you're signed up to the Update Service before you apply)
- reference 'Other Workforce' not 'Child or Adult Workforce' (this is about the checks that have been made)
- show your employment type as either:
- taxi driver
- private driver
- or something similar to this
If you do not have a current or valid DBS, you can apply for a DBS online with our nominated supplier, TaxiPlus.
Certificate of Good Conduct (CoGC)
If you're over 18 and you've been away from the UK for 3 months or more (continuously), we'll need a CoGC from either:
- the police
- the embassy of all the countries you have stayed at
View how to apply for a CoGC on GOV.UK for the relevant countries.
View more information in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
If you cannot get a CoGC, email our Taxi Licensing Team.
Safeguarding and Disability Awareness Training Certificate
If you have not had the training, you can book to attend a Safeguarding and Disability training course online.
Medical Certificate or PSV HGV Group II Medical Certificate D4
Download our Medical Certificate PDF, 133 KB.
This needs to be completed and signed by your registered doctor or practitioner and dated within the last 3 months.
A score report from our English Language test
Showing that you have passed our English language test.
Evidence of your Right to Work
This can be one of the following:
- a UK passport
- a non-UK passport accompanied by a Home Office Right to Work code
- another document that shows you have the Right to Work in the UK
View more information about what evidence we accept.
DVLA Driving Licence
This can be a scanned copy or a photo.
Do not send us the original.
This licence must have been held for at least 3 years.
If your driving licence was issued in England, Scotland or Wales, you must also provide a DVLA check code. If you do not have one, you can apply for a DVLA check code online.
Tax check code
If you are renewing or extending your licence, you must also provide a tax check code.
If you're applying for the first time
You'll also need to upload:
- a driving assessment certificate (approved by Buckinghamshire Council)
- a certificate of attendance at a council-approved, wheelchair accessible vehicle driver course (if your vehicle is wheelchair accessible)
- confirmation that you have read and understood your tax responsibilities as a licenced driver
Our privacy policy
We are the controller for the personal information we use about you. We're committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services.
The law requires us to give you details about how we use and protect your information, view the taxi licensing privacy policy.
If you're extending a licence
If your previous driver licence was not issued for the full 3 years (because you had a limited right to work status) you can use this form to extend it to 3 years (if your licence has not expired).
If it has expired, you will need to apply for a new licence.
Apply online
Complete our online application form.
After you've applied
We usually process applications within 10 working days (if they're valid and include all the necessary documents).
Some applications can take us longer to review.
False information on applications
If your application includes false information or inaccurate answers, we will probably refuse your application.
Any driver that has a licence refused will be recorded on the national register of revocations and refusals.
If your application is refused, you usually won't be able to apply again for 3 years.
Checking the NR3S register
Before we decide whether to grant or renew your licence, we'll make a search on the NR3S Register to identify any entries relating to you.
Your personal data will be placed on the Register if (at any time) your licence is:
- revoked
- suspended
- refused (application or renewal)
National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S)
Overview
We are committed to protecting the public by ensuring that all taxi and private hire drivers licensed in our area – and those operating here from other areas – are safe, responsible and suitable to hold a licence.
Under the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022, licensing authorities must share safeguarding or road safety concerns about drivers with each other and must record certain licensing decisions on a central national database. This database is operated by the National Anti‑Fraud Network (NAFN) and is commonly known as NR3S.
Our legal duties under the 2022 Act
- Sharing safeguarding or road safety concerns about drivers licensed elsewhere:
- If we receive information about a taxi or private hire driver who is licensed by another authority, and that information suggests a safeguarding or road safety concern, we must report the concern to the licensing authority that issued that driver’s licence.
- Recording and checking licensing decisions on the national database (NR3S):
- We must record on the national database any instance where Buckinghamshire Council has refused, suspended, revoked, or chosen not to renew a driver licence based wholly or partly on safeguarding or road safety concerns. We must also search the database before granting or renewing any licence.
What counts as a safeguarding or road safety concern
Concerns include:
- sexual offences
- harassment
- physical or psychological harm
- discriminatory behaviour
- threats or abuse
- road safety risks,
- any behaviour suggesting a person may be unsuitable to hold a licence
How NR3S helps protect the public
NR3S prevents drivers with a concerning history from moving between licensing areas without disclosure. It supports councils in consistently assessing whether an individual is fit and proper.
Further guidance
Further guidance is available from the Department for Transport.
If you have questions about the NR3S Register, contact the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) Data and Intelligence Service.
Data protection and privacy
We follow all legal requirements for handling personal data, including data minimisation and storage limitation.
Information on the NR3S Register will be retained for up to 11 years. You have a right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner (0303 123 1113)
If you need help with your application
Tackling abuse and violence against women and girls
The taxi and private hire trade is important for so many people in Buckinghamshire.
Licensed drivers and operators can help the White Ribbon campaign and make our community safer, especially for women and girls. View how you can help with the White Ribbon campaign.