Apply for a taxi or private hire licence

Important note: Our application process has now changed

You must now submit all the required documents with your application. This change aims to make the overall process simpler and quicker for our drivers, but does require you to start the process in good time. Applications which do not have the correct documentation will be rejected and an administrative fee retained.   Any delay could affect your ability to work, therefore please ensure you have all the required documents before applying to us.

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Introduction

Welcome to our 'Hackney Carriage Driver Renewal' page. This page outlines our 6 stage application process for customers that 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.  

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  impacts 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 6 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 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 renew your Hackney Carriage Driver licence 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 digital copies of all the required documents, all necessary information to hand and completed declarations before starting your application. We estimate 30 minutes should be sufficient time to fully complete your application. .

1. Unique alphanumeric renewal code
2. Access to a valid email address and account.
3. 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).
4. DVLA Driving Licence.
5. Enhanced DBS Certificate or DBS Update reference. We can only accept certificates with the correct position stated (see stage 3  below)
6. Your National Insurance Number.
7. Evidence of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom e.g. British Passport, share code 
8. Details of any motoring offences, DVLA licence points, convictions from the UK and abroad, and any matters pending not previously disclosed in your last application. You should not withhold any details (this includes spent convictions) when applying to be a hackney carriage driver. 
9. 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)
10. Passport sized photograph.
11. 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
12. Diabetes Declaration form (if applicable)
13. Complete a tax check

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

UPDATE 1.9.23 Please be aware that from this date the online process changed, and you must now follow the steps below

If you do not subscribe to the DBS Update service, 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'

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 and renewing 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 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.

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 attach to 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: 

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 Diabetes Declaration form   regarding their diabetes mellitus. This declaration 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 uploaded 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 your duty as a 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 Hackney Carriage 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 hackney carriage driver with this Authority and have all the required information, documents and have completed the necessary declarations , 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 the online application 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)
• British Passport (if applicable)
• Passport Style Photo

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

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 Hackney Carriage 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 Hackney Carriage Driver with Reigate & Banstead

Once all enquiries have been completed  and we are satisfied that you are a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage 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 secure 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  Hackney Carriage driver to ensure that your current licence is valid and that any renewal application is started in plenty of time.