Apply for a taxi or private hire licence

Important note: Our application process changed in 2025

You must submit all the required documents with your application. Applications which do not have the correct documentation will be rejected and an administrative fee retained. This is aimed to make the overall application process simpler and quicker for our drivers. Please ensure you have all the required documents before applying to us.

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Introduction

Welcome to our ‘Private Hire Driver Application’ page where you will find our 8 stage application process. This is intended for customers that do not currently hold a Private Hire Driver Licence with Reigate & Banstead. We strongly advise you read and follow all the information on this page before proceeding with your application. You will find all the information you may need to assist with your application on our licensing webpages.  

Responding to numerous individual requests for status updates on applications will impact our ability to process and issue licences as quickly as we would like. Please allow at least 6 weeks for your application to be processed before you contact us to chase or ask for an update. If we need to get in touch to clarify or request anything, we will do so. Fewer enquiries will allow us to process licences more quickly.

This Application Process has 8 stages.

Stage 1: Read and understand our ''Who can apply for a licence?'' webpage and our other relevant Licensing webpages.

We have put extensive information regarding the licensing process, our fees, our policies and conditions on our webpages to help our customers. We strongly advise all customers to read and understand our licensing webpages relevant to your application before applying for a licence.

When you are satisfied that you have all the relevant documents, access codes and can meet our licensing requirements, as outlined on our 'Who can apply for a licence page' and  you do not currently hold a licence with us then proceed to Stage 2. Please follow the stages in the order outlined below to ensure you application is made to us correctly.

Stage 2: Check you have the required information, documents and means of making payment before commencing your application.  

In Stage 6 you will make your online application and payment to us via a webform hosted by a company called Idox. Please note that there is no means to save your application part way through, so you need to ensure you have all the necessary information and digital copies of the required documents before starting your application.  We estimate 30 minutes should be sufficient time to fully complete your application.

1. Access to a valid email address and account.
2. Means of making an online payment by credit or debit card (with the permission of the cardholder to do so, if it is not your card).
3. DVLA Driving Licence.
4. Enhanced DBS Certificate and/or DBS Update reference. We can only accept certificates with the correct position stated (see stage 3 below)
5. Your National Insurance Number.
6. Evidence of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom e.g. British Passport, share code 
7. Details of any past and current motoring offences, DVLA licence points, previous convictions from the UK and abroad, and any matters pending. You should not withhold any details (this includes spent convictions) when applying to be a private hire driver. 
8. Residency declaration (to be completed by all applicants). If you have lived abroad for 6 continuous months of more since the age of 16 the declaration must also be accompanied by a criminal record check or a certificate of good conduct authenticated by the relevant embassy, for each of the countries visited. Further guidance can be found at Criminal record checks for overseas applicants (Gov.UK) 
9. Passport sized photograph.
10. Safeguarding Training Certificate 
11. Medical Report form and any additional information such as hospital discharge papers, results of relevant test etc that show you meet the DVLA Group 2 standard. Insulin dependent diabetics must complete an additional declaration - see below
12. Diabetes Declaration form (if applicable)
13. Complete a tax check
14. Know which operator you will be working for. 

Stage 3: Complete your DBS and DVLA checks

DBS Check

The online application for an Enhanced DBS check can be completed via the disclosure portal hosted by First Advantage. To do this, you must follow the steps below

Create your account

1. Access the website

2. Below 'User Login' heading click the 3rd option 'Register'

3. You will then land on the page headed 'Self Registration' where you should enter the following details before clicking to confirm 'I am not a robot'

Organisation ID	ORG-ZEF4BQ5R
Access Code	Reigate16 [do not include any spaces]
Email	Complete your own email details

4. On the next page, tick to confirm Reigate and Banstead is your organisation. Complete your first and last name and create your own password, then click 'Register'

 You will now have an account under KnowYourPeople and can login on the link at 1 above to make your application

1. At 'Username' type in your email and Password used to create your account then click 'Login'

2. From the Dashboard you can now 'Create a new application' following the instruction on the website. The instructions will tell you what information and documents you need, and how to pay the fee. You can return to your account anytime, but after completing your application you will need to print the barcode provided and take your original identification documents to a Post Office that offers the verification service. The link to the Post office website will help you find your nearest one (note an additional fee is payable to the Post office for this service).

Your Enhanced DBS must state  'Other workforce' in the Position applied for, followed by 'Taxi/Private Hire Driver'. We cannot accept certificates that do not contain these categories of information.

 DBS Update Service

Council Policy requires all new drivers to sign up to the Update service so that 6 monthly DBS checks, as required by the Department for Transport statutory standards, can be made.

You must register and pay for this service within 30 days of your certificate being issued, and continue to pay the annual fee. We will need to be provided with a copy of the original certificate issued to you when you signed up for the service. Further details can be found at GovUK DBS Update Service.

If you do not subscribe to the update service the Council will not be able to carry out the 6 month checks and your licence will be suspended until a new DBS has been provided.

DVLA Check

Once we have processed your application, you will receive an email from Davis who are the company we use to carry out the LicenceCheck. Follow the instructions in the email which will allow the Council to verify and view your driver record at the DVLA. Remember to regularly check your junk emails so you don't miss important emails associated with your application.

Stage 4: Successfully complete an online Safeguarding training course 

Approved Safeguarding training courses.

You may choose one of the following virtual classroom courses provided by external suppliers. A copy of your certificate, provided on successful completion of the training course, must be uploaded with your application.

• Blue Lamp Trust: Virtual classroom course. Cost £35 (as at 1.4.25). This course is delivered in highly interactive virtual classroom format using Zoom. For further details and to book/pay please visit the Blue Lamp Trust website.
• Green Penny: FAA LEVEL 1 Award in awareness of safeguarding (RQF). Course fee £50 (as at 1.4.25). Conducted via an online video call. You will need a laptop or PC with a webcam in order to attend a course. If you prefer to book over the phone, please call on 0330 111 7230. For further details and to book/pay visit the Green Penny website.

Please make sure you read and abide by the suppliers terms and conditions otherwise you will automatically fail the course

If you have any technical issues with accessing or undertaking the training, please contact the supplier. Regretfully, such problems are beyond our control and the Council will not be able to assist you.

Note: the Council will accept Driver online Safeguarding Training Certificates issued by Barnardo’s prior to 1 April 2025 – from this date this course is no longer available.  

Stage 5: Supply the following  

A- Medical

Only a Reigate & Banstead BC medical report completed in full by a GP from the medical practice you are registered at, will be accepted by this Authority: 

Medical Report Form (PDF)

Your doctor may charge you for the cost of completing the medical report, which must be downloaded, completed in full and stamped/signed and dated by the GP. You must also take photographic identity to the appointment as your GP will need to see this. If questions are not answered fully, information such as prescribed medication is not provided at section 9, or the declarations have not been completed we will not accept it and your application will be delayed.

Please note, All applicants with diabetes mellitus which is controlled with Insulin, must also complete the declaration form regarding their diabetes mellitus. This form requires you to upload the independent consultants specialist report and will not allow you to submit the form without this 

Your completed medical report should be submitted with your driver application as instructed at stage 6 below. 

You must keep the original document for the duration of your licence.. The Licensing Authority reserve the right to request the original document at any time during the application process and throughout the duration of your licence held with this Authority.

Please Note: It is the duty of you as the licence holder to keep the Council updated if you are undergoing treatment or have a medical condition that may now, or in the future, affect your safety as a driver. Please inform us in writing and supply supporting medical reports / letters.

B- Passport Style Photo

Please upload a copy of your passport style photo with your application at stage 5.

C- Right To Work in the UK

All drivers must demonstrate they have the right to work in the UK e.g. passport or share code - if you are not a British or Irish citizen see GovUK Prove Right To Work. 

If you have limited permission to be in the UK and work, your licence will be issued for a similar limited period until such time as you can demonstrate an entitlement to remain indefinitely in the UK.

Stage 6: Complete your online application form to become a New Private Hire Driver 

When you are satisfied that you meet the requirements to become a licensed private hire driver with this Authority, have all the required documents, and have completed the necessary declarations, click on the green button below to make your Private Hire New Driver Application. This application form is for new and not renewing drivers. 

As of 10 October 2024 the online submission form will prompt you to upload digital copies (e.g picture image/ PDF etc) of the following. Please do not apply unless you have all the required documents as your application will likely be rejected:

• Enhanced DBS Check Certificate
• DVLA Driving Licence (front and back)
• RBBC Medical Report 
• British Passport (if applicable)
• Online Safeguarding Training Certificate 
• Passport Style Photo

Make sure you have also completed the Residency Declaration and if applicable the Diabetes Declaration form 

Please be aware, all applicants will have their details checked against the National register of hackney carriages and private hire driver licence refusals and revocations.

Make a Private Hire New Driver Application

Note the form currently has provision to enter only one previous licence which should be the most recent. You must then email the licensing department within 24 hours of your application submission with further details of any other private hire or hackney carriage licences that  you have applied for or held including any that were refused, revoked or suspended. 

When you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

Stage 7: Private Hire Knowledge Test

To become a new private hire driver you are required to pass a knowledge test. 

Once you have completed your online application to become a Private Hire Driver with us and received your confirmation email, you will be sent details explaining this step. For more information and to book and pay for the Knowledge Test please follow the link to our specific webpage regarding the Knowledge Test. 

Stage 8: Become a Licensed Private Hire Driver with Reigate & Banstead

Once all enquiries have been completed, you have passed your Knowledge Test and we are satisfied that you are a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence with this Authority, we will finalise your application. After an administration processing period we will be able to create your licence and badges. This processing period varies depending on applicant numbers so we are unable to advise on specific timescales. Your licence and badge will be posted to the address we hold on your driver file. 

We strongly advise our drivers upon receipt of their licence to diarise their expiry dates in their phones and calendars etc.  It is your responsibility as a licensed private hire driver to ensure that your current licence is valid and that any renewal application is started in plenty of time.