Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licences

Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licences

The Royal Borough is responsible for the licensing of Hackney Carriage (Taxis) drivers and vehicles, and the licensing of Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Operators.

Please read the following information carefully before submitting an Application.

How do I apply for a Private Hire Driver Licence?

All applicants must have held a full UK, NI or EU driving licence for a minimum of 2 years before an application for a PHD licence can be made. (This excludes the holding of a provisional licence). Holders of full EU licences must obtain and present a UK DVLA counterpart to accompany an application for a PHD licence.

All applicants must provide proof of the right to work and reside in the UK. This can be done by providing a valid UK or European Union passport. Holders of other passports must show a valid visa that has at least six months remaining before its expiry at time of application. A licence will only be granted until the expiry of the visa, and will only be renewed or extended on the production of a valid visa issued by the Home Office. Under no circumstances will letters from any source be accepted as proof of right to work. Applicants without a passport wishing to be able to work must have a valid ARC card or ISD document issued by the Home Office.

All new applicants must complete a Data Protection Mandate form in order for their DVLA/EU drivers licence to be checked and verified by the DVLA.

Before your application can be processed you will be required to complete a form for the disclosure of criminal record and we may check your driving history with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Applications are submitted in person at the First Appointment. On receipt of your CRB Disclosure you may book your Second Appointment, remembering to bring the necessary documentation as below.

Failure to provide the correct documentation at each stage of the application process may cause a delay to your application.

First Appointment

• Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure Application Form. Ensure that you do not complete the back pages as this will be done by Licensing at your first appointment.
• DVLA driving licence the photocard licences must be submitted with the paper counterpart,
• Two forms of identity (utility bill, telephone bill, mobile phone bill, bank statement, Council Tax invoice (these should be under 3-months old),
• Application Form to licence to drive a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle, countersigned by the Operator you will be working for,
  Data Protection Disclosure Form (mandate completed fully) and IDS Mandate
• Passport
• Visa

Second Appointment

The Private Hire Driver Written tests consists of 20 questions based on the Terms and Conditions of a Private Hire Driver and Private Hire Vehicle; these are found at the back of the application booklet. The test will last for approximately 20 minutes.

Hackney Carriage Drivers' Licence, knowledge test consists of 18 questions lasting approximately 20-25 minutes. There is an additional Route Test which takes approximately 30 minutes. In addition, anyone who applies for a Hackney Carriage Drivers' Licence will have to take a Route Test based on the knowledge of the Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Third Appointment

On this appointment you will need to bring with you:

• Medical Certificate (to be completed by your registered General Practitioner)
• DSA (Driving Standards Agency) Taxi Driving Assessment Test Certificate
• two recent passport size photographs
• Fee for £100.00 for a single badge or £160.00 for a dual badge.

This is subject to the Council being satisfied that the applicant is a 'fit and proper person'. Licensing will use the results of the CRB Disclosure as well as the information contained on your DVLA licence when making this assessment.

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