Apply for a taxi or private hire licence

Important note: Our application process changed in 2005

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.

Please note: the Medical Form has been updated and we will no longer accept the previous version ('MED/05. July 2017' as shown at the bottom of page 8) from 1 May 2025 onwards.

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Introduction

Welcome to our ‘Hackney Carriage Driver New Application' page. This page outlines our 8 stage application process for customers that do not currently hold a Hackney Carriage 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 here.  

Responding to numerous individual requests for status updates on applications is currently impacting on 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 other relevant Licensing webpages.

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

When you are satisfied that you meet our licensing requirements, as outlined on our 'Who can apply for a licence page' and would like to apply to be a Hackney Carriage Driver then proceed to Stage 2.

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

You will need to have the following to hand before starting your application.

1. Access to a valid email address and account 
2. DVLA Driving Licence.
3. Enhanced DBS check certificate. We can only accept certificates with the correct position stated (see stage 3 below)
4. 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).
5. Your National Insurance Number.
6. Evidence of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom e.g. Passport, share code (Gov.UK)
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 taxi driver. 
8. Residency declaration(to be completed by all applicants) If you have lived abroad for 6 continuous months or 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. Completed RBBC Medical report and any additional information, such as 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
10. Diabetes Declaration form (if applicable)
11. Passport sized photograph.
12. Online Safeguarding Training certificate (issued by Barnardos)
13. Complete a tax check.

Stage 3: Complete your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) checks

DBS Check

The online application for an Enhanced DBC 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 web 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 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 GovUK DBS Update Service.

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 LicenceCheck 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: Successfully Complete Online Safeguard Training Course (provided by Barnardos).

Please click on the green button below for further information on what you must do to successfully complete the required training course as a 'New Driver'.  A Course fee of £18 is payable direct to Barnardos.

Safeguard Training Course

Following successful completion of the training course you will  be provided with a certificate. A copy of the certificate must be uploaded with your driver application. 

Stage 5: Supply the following  (A-C)

A- Medical

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 Council: 

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: The Medical Form has been updated and we will no longer accept the previous version ('MED/05. July 2017' as shown at the bottom of page 8) from 1st May 2025 onwards.

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 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

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 Hackney Carriage Driver 

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

The online submission form will prompt you to upload a digital copy (e.g picture image/ PDF etc) of the follow. 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)
• Passport Style Photo
• Online Safe Guarding Training Certificate (issued by Barnardos)

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 Hackney Carriage 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 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: Hackney Carriage Knowledge Test

To become a new Hackney Carriage driver you are required to pass a knowledge test.

Once you have completed your online application (Stage 6) to become a Hackney Carriage Driver with us and received your automated confirmation email, your application will be checked. If your application is satisfactory,  you will be advised to pay for a knowledge test. Following payment an officer will contact you to explain the test and confirm a date and time when the test will take place at the Town Hall, Reigate.  Please follow this link to book and pay for the Hackney Carriage Driver Test.

Stage 8: Become a Licensed Hackney Carriage 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 Hackney Carriage 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 Hackney Carriage driver to ensure that your current licence is valid and that any renewal application is started in plenty of time.