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.

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:

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.

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.

If you have not had the training, you can book to attend a Safeguarding and Disability training course online.

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.

Showing that you have passed our English language test, or evidence of an equivalent qualification.

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.

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.

If you are renewing or extending your licence, you must also provide a tax check code.

View how to get a tax check code on GOV.UK.

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

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 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.

View more about extending a licence.

Complete our online application form.

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.

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.

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)

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 have questions about the NR3S Register, contact the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) Data and Intelligence Service:

NAFN Data and Intelligence Services
Tameside MBC
PO Box 304
Ashton-under-Lyne
OL6 0GA

You can view contact details for the Council’s Data Protection Officer on our Privacy Policy.

Contact our taxi licensing team.