Apply for a taxi or private hire licence
Pages in Apply for a taxi or private hire licence
- 1. Who can apply for a licence?
- 2. Private Hire Driver New Applications
- 3. You are here: Private Hire Driver Renewal Applications
- 4. Hackney Carriage Driver New Applications
- 5. Hackney Carriage Driver Renewal Applications
- 6. National Licensing Register (NR3S)
3. Private Hire Driver Renewal Applications
Important note: Our application process changed in 2025
You are now required to submit all the necessary documents with your application. Applications which do not have the correct documentation attached will be rejected and a refund issued. This is aimed to make the overall application process simpler and quicker for our drivers, but you will need to start the process in good time to ensure you have everything ready.
Introduction
Welcome to our ‘Private Hire Driver Renewal’ page. This page outlines our application process and is intended for customers that currently hold a Private Hire Driver Licence with Reigate & Banstead. The application process is mapped out for you below and is broken down into an easy to follow 6 Stage process. 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.
To renew your licence you will need a unique alphanumeric code that looks similar to this e.g. NJT0LWMV0K890. If you do not have a code like this on a recent email from the licensing team please call licensing on 01737 276 672 and we will provide you with this code so you can proceed with your licence renewal. The earliest you will be able to renew your licence and use your code is 3 months before your expiry date.
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 six 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. In the meantime you may wish to refer to the comprehensive information on the application process available on this website. Fewer enquiries will allow us to process licences more quickly.
6 Stage Application Process
Stage 1: Read and understand our ''Who can apply for a licence?'' webpage and 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 drivers to read and understand our licensing webpages relevant to your application before proceeding to renew your licence.
When you are content that you continue to meet our licensing requirements, as outlined on our 'Who can apply for a licence page' and would like to renew then proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Check you have the required information, documents etc before commencing your application.
In Stage 5 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 required information and digital copies of the necessary documents to hand before starting your application. We estimate 30 minutes should be sufficient time to fully complete your application.
- Unique alphanumeric renewal code
- Access to a valid email address and account
- 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).
- DVLA Driving Licence.
- Enhanced DBS Certificate or DBS Update reference
- Your National Insurance Number.
- Know which operator you will be working for.
- Evidence of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom e.g. British Passport, share code
- Details of any past and current motoring offences, 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.
- If you have lived abroad for 6 continuous months of more since the age of 16 you will be required to provide a criminal record check from the country / countries visited covering the period or a certificate of good conduct authenticated by the relevant embassy. Further guidance can be found at Criminal record checks for overseas applicants (Gov.UK)
- Passport sized photograph.
- Medical Report form for drivers over aged 45 at the time of renewal. Drivers over 65 must also supply medicals annually. In addition, please supply details of medication, hospital discharge papers, results of relevant tests etc that show you meet the DVLA Group 2 guidelines. Insulin dependent diabetics must complete an additional declaration - see below
- Diabetes Declaration form (if applicable)
- Complete a tax check
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.
UPDATE 1.9.23 Please be aware that from this date the online process changed, and you must now follow the steps below
Create your account
1. Access the website: https://sso.knowyourpeople.co.uk
2. Below ‘User Login’ heading click the 3rd option ‘Register’
3. You will then land on the page ‘Self registration’, where you should enter the following before clicking to confirm 'I'm not a robot', then next
Organisation ID | ORG-ZEF4BQ5R |
---|---|
Access Code | Reigate16 [do not include any spaces] |
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 password, then 'Register'
You will now have an account under ‘KnowyourPeople’ and can login on the link above to make your application
1. At Username type in your email and enter your Password, then Login
2. From the Dashboard you can now ‘Create a new application’ following the instructions 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 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.
DBS Update service
Council Policy now requires all drivers, to sign up to the Update service so that 6 monthly DBS checks can be made as required by the Department for Transport statutory standards. Your certificate must be for an Enhanced DBS where the 'Position applied for' is 'Other workforce' AND 'Taxi/Private Hire Driver'.
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 see a copy of the original certificate issued to you when you signed up for the service. Further details can be found at DBS Update Service. (Gov.UK)
Should you 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 the results of a new DBS have been provided.
DVLA Check
Once we have processed your application in the Licence check system, you will receive an email from Davis. Remember to regularly check your junk emails so you don’t miss important emails associated with your application. Follow the instructions in the email which will allow the Council to verify and view your driver record at the DVLA.
Stage 4: Supply the following (A-C)
A- Passport Style Photo
Please upload with your application a copy of your passport style photo.
B- 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.
C- Medical - Drivers over 45 at the Renewal Date
This step is only required if you are over the age of 45 at the time of your renewal, or you are required to supply a medical report due to having a medical condition that can affect your ability to comply with the DVLA Group 2 standards.
Only a Reigate & Banstead medical report completed in full by a GP from the medical practice you are registered at, will be accepted by this Authority:
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 Diabetes Declaration form regarding their diabetes mellitus. This form allows you to upload the required 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 5 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.
Stage 5: Complete your online application form to renew your existing Private Hire Driver Licence
Please ensure you have read the stages above and familiarised yourself with the content on our licensing webpages that may be relevant to your application. When you are satisfied that you continue to meet the requirements to renew as a licensed private hire driver with this Authority and have all the required information and documents, click on the green button below to make your renewal application. This application form is for renewing and not new drivers.
As of 10 October 2024 there is a new section in the online application that will prompt you to upload a digital copy (e.g. picture image/ PDF etc) of the following (where applicable):
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- DVLA Driving Licence (front and back)
- RBBC Medical Report (if 45 years or older)
- Diabetes Declaration form (if applicable)
- British Passport (if applicable)
- Passport Style Photo
Please be aware as of 1 April 2022, all applicants will have their details checked against the National register of hackney carriages and private hire driver licence refusals and revocations.
Apply to Renew a Private Hire Driver Licence
When you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email.
Renewing a time limited licence? On satisfactory receipt of the relevant information e.g. right to work update, new DVLA licence, you may apply and pay a small admin fee to extend your driver licence to coincide with the three-year renewal date.
Driver over 65 years? You will be issued with a licence which has a one-year expiry date. On satisfactory receipt of a medical report we will extend the licence annually again up to the full three-year licence period. Please provide an update report at least two months ahead of the expiry date.
Stage 6: Become a Licensed Private Hire Driver with Reigate and Banstead BC
Once all enquiries have been completed 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 do not have a facility for you to pick up your licence and badge from our reception.
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.