Private Hire Driver

This particular licence allows you to drive private hire vehicles.

Before submitting your application you should complete the following:

• Read the ‘Doncaster Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy’.

You are advised to pay particular attention to ‘Appendix 2 Statement of Policy about Relevant Convictions’ before doing anything else.

Checklist

1. Book, attend and pass the Council’s approved practical driving test (and wheelchair exercise if applying for Hackney Carriage or Joint licence) – tests can be booked directly with ‘The Blue Lamp Trust’. The Blue Lamp Trust offers frequent test availability. To book your practical driving test directly with The Blue Lamp Trust please visit their webpage - TaxiAssesments | THE BLUE LAMP TRUST
   If you have any questions, comments or complaints regarding Blue Lamp Trust please contact them directly via info@bluelamptrust.org.uk  
   
   
2. Book, attend and pass the Doncaster Council knowledge test and safeguarding awareness session – this can be booked at the link below: 
   Knowledge and Safeguarding Knowledge Test(see ‘additional information’ for further details) 
   
   We still have sessions available on eventbrite.co.uk
   February 2025 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/995256999477?aff=oddtdtcreator
   March 2025 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/995257932267?aff=oddtdtcreator
   
   
3. Doncaster Council requires all applicants to hold a full DVLA driving licence for a period of at least 2 continuous years immediately prior to making an application and this must be in your current address (see the Policy for full details and requirements).
   
   
4. Obtain a ‘Group 2 Standard’ medical certificate from a medical practitioner using this form Medical 08.24 Download (34KB - PDF)
    (the medical practitioner MUST have access to your previous medical history). Please refer to the advice included on the form.
   
   
5. If you have previously spent more than 3 consecutive months outside of the UK, you are required to provide a 'certificate of good character' from the appropriate embassy(s) (see Policy for details).
   
   
6. If you do not hold a UK passport, you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK (further information is provided below).
   
   
7. Get a passport sized photograph of yourself (taken recently). No hats or head covering (unless worn for religious reasons)
   
   
8. Obtain an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Certificate which includes checks of the Vulnerable Adult and Children Barred List.
   You should apply and obtain your own Enhanced DBS Certificate – Child & Adult Workforce through a registered body. A list of registered body’s is available on the government website - https://www.gov.uk/find-dbs-umbrella-body
   
   Although you are free to choose which registered body you apply through for a DBS certificate, Doncaster Council is working with TaxiPlus who are able to provide this service. You can apply through TaxiPlus via this link – https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/councils/doncaster
   
   If you have any questions about obtaining a DBS check then please view the most frequently asked questions
   
   Remember - You MUST subscribe to the DBS Update Service so we can check your entitlement on a 6 month basis.
   
   Further information on the DBS is available via this link DBS Code of Conduct  

Once you have received your enhanced DBS certificate, please produce the original to the civic office reception where an authorised copy will be taken.

Once you are satisfied that you have complied with all of the above requirements you can submit the application, supporting documents and fee to the Licensing Department at Doncaster Council.

Your application will not be considered valid until all the necessary information and original document(s) have been produced and the relevant fee has been paid.

You can apply online through the 'My Licensing' section using your 'My Doncaster' account

Knowledge test and safeguarding awareness session: £87.50

New Application Fee: £201.50

There are additional pre application costs for the following:

• Practical driving assessment (Blue Lamp Trust)
• Enhanced DBS certificate and DBS update service subscription
• Group 2 medical certificate

We will carry out all the required checks after receipt of a complete application.

Due to the high demand experienced by this service, processing times have been impacted and and your patience is appreciated at this time.

 

If we are unable to grant you a licence without further investigation, you will be invited to attend a licensing hearing, where your application will be determined.

If your licence is granted it will be sent to you in the post.

When you are ready to make your application, you can do so at the link below.

APPLY NOW

(the above link will take you to your My Doncaster account - select 'My Licensing' to make an application.)

Three years
(Or less, subject to your leave to remain in the UK – see work eligibility for more information)

What you need to know before attending

You should have knowledge of Doncaster Council’s Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.

You should have a good knowledge of the borough and be able to use and A-Z map of the area.

This is a written test and you will need to be able to answer question in writing and in English.

You MUST produce photographic I.D. (valid passport / driving licence) each time you attend for a test. Anyone who fails to produce the required identification will not be permitted to sit the test.

After the test has finished, you will not need to remain. The test will be marked and the results will be sent to you by post.

Your right to work in the UK will be checked as part of your licence application, this could include the licensing authority checking your immigration status with the Home Office. We may otherwise share information with the Home Office.

You must therefore provide a ‘share code’, document or document combination that is stipulated as being suitable for this check.

Option 1: Share Code
Details of how to obtain a share code can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work

Option 2: Documents
The list of documents is set out in the guidance document available on the Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensing-authority-guide-to-right-to-work-checks 

You must provide the original document(s), such as your passport or biometric residence permit, as indicated in the published guidance, so that the check can take place.
The document(s) will be copied and the copy retained by the licensing authority.

The original document will be returned to you.

If there are restrictions on the length of time you may work in the UK, your licence will not be issued for any longer than this period. In such circumstances the check will be repeated each time you apply to renew your licence. If, during this period, you are disqualified from holding a licence because you have not complied with the UK’s immigration laws, your licence will lapse and you must return it to the licensing authority.

Failure to do so is a criminal offence.

Existing licence holders are required to notify the licensing authority in writing or by email within 48 hours of an arrest and release, charge or conviction (including a caution) of any sexual offence, any offence involving dishonesty or violence and any motoring offence. Please complete Notification of Convictions Form and return to taxi.licensing@doncaster.gov.uk