How to become a licenced driver

Rules changed

The Tax Requirements rules for applying for a licence changed on 4 April 2022

For further guidance visit tax check and tax responsibilities.

To become a licenced driver you need to have held a full driving licence for a minimum of 2 years.

You must have the right to work in the UK.

Failure to follow the exact procedure will result in your application being rejected. For the full procedure go to apply for a taxi driver licence including Hackney Carriage and Private Hire.

Licences

You will need to apply for one or more of the following licences:

  • Hackney Carriage vehicle licence
  • Private hire vehicle licence
  • Private hire Operators licence

To apply for an operator's only licence you do not need to hold a full driving licence.

Licence costs

You may also have to pay additional fees other than those below. For example Medical Fees paid directly to your GP and Advanced Driving Test Fees.

Taxi licence costs
Licence type Price
New Driver (Private Hire or Hackney Carriage) Licence 3 years £249.20
DBS £67.50
New driver training £125.04
Driver's licence Renewal - 3 year £238.00
Driver's licence Renewal - 1 year £83.50
Transfer an existing vehicle and licence £40.80
New vehicle licence (includes plates, disc, door signs and HPI check) £195.61
Vehicle licence renewal (includes plates and disc) £139.00
Taxi test £55.00
Meter test £5.50
Operator's licence (up to 2 vehicles) - 1 year licence
(DBS not included) 		£95.00
Operator's licence (up to 2 vehicles) - 5 year licence
(DBS not included) 		£454.00
Operator's licence (3 vehicles and over) - 1 year licence (DBS not included) £231.50
Operator's licence (3 vehicles and over) - 5 year licence (DBS not included) £1166.00

The difference between a Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicle licence

As a Hackney Carriage driver you can make yourself available for immediate hire on a designated Hackney Carriage stand and can also be hailed whilst in motion.

As a private hire driver, you must operate through a private hire operator and can only take booked fares. You cannot ply for hire.

Vehicle licensing

If you work for yourself and your vehicle is suitable, you can apply to licence your own vehicle. There are however, certain conditions and policies.

If you do not have your own vehicle, you can look for work from an established private hire operator and use their vehicles.

Licence duration

Driver licences are available for 3 years only.

Operator licences can now last for 1 or 5 years

Vehicle licences still last for 1 year and need to be renewed annually.

Hackney Carriage and private hire policy

Safeguarding children and vulnerable people

This document gives advice on human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, what you can do to help those at risk and who to contact if you think you may be carrying someone who is vulnerable and / or the victim of exploitation.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable people

Transport contract opportunities with Kirklees Council

Kirklees Transport Team organise home to school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and transport requirement for a number of other Council services. We tender long term transport routes, and also have short term and emergency requirements. Taxi and minibus operators/drivers are contracted to deliver this service, and we welcome new applications throughout the year.

If you are interested in applying to become an Approved Operator or Approved Driver, please contact the Transport Team for further information:

Contact Licensing

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