Apply for, renew or extend a driver licence (hackney carriage or private hire)

Your most recent Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, including checks on the adult and child barred lists, which must be signed up to the Update Service.

• The certificate must reference ‘Other Workforce' not Child or Adult Workforce (this indicates the types of checks that have been carried out)
• The certificate should reference employment type as 'taxi driver', 'private driver' or similar (certificates issued for unrelated jobs are not acceptable)
• Check if you’re signed up to the update service before you apply
• If you do not have a current/valid DBS, you can obtain one from our nominated supplier

Certificate of Good Conduct/Good Character (COGC)

If you have been absent from the United Kingdom for a continuous period of 3 months or more after the age of 18 you will need to provide a certificate of good conduct from the local police or the embassy of all of the countries you have stayed at.

For further information, please refer to the Hackney Carraige and Private Hire Licensing Policy. More information about Certificates of Good Conduct and how to apply, please visit the Government website

If you are unable to obtain a COGC, please email the Taxi Licensing Team [email protected] for help and advice.

Safeguarding and Disability awareness training certificate.

• If you need to attend a Safeguarding and Disability training course, you can book online

Council approved medical certificate or a PSV/HGV Group II medical certificate (D4), which must be completed and signed by your registered medical practice/practitioner within the previous 3 months.

• A copy of the Council approved medical certificate PDF, 133 KB .

Provide a score report from our English language test provider showing that you have passed the test, or an equivalent qualification.

Evidence of your Right to Work. This can be a UK passport or a non-UK passport which must be accompanied by a Home Office Right to Work code or another document that shows you have the Right to Work in the UK.

• View further information about what evidence is accepted.

Scanned copy or photo of your DVLA Driving Licence. This licence must have been held for at least 3 years.

If your driving licence was issued in England, Scotland or Wales, you must provide a DVLA check code.

• If you need to apply for a DVLA check code, you can apply online

If renewing your licence, you must provide an HMRC Tax Check code

• More information on Tax Check code

A council-approved driving assessment certificate.

• If you do not have a certificate, you can obtain one from our nominated suppliers

A certificate of attendance at a council-approved wheelchair accessible vehicle driver course (wheelchair accessible vehicle drivers only).

• If you do not have a certificate, you can obtain one from our nominated suppliers

You will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood your tax responsibilities as a licenced driver.

• More information on HMRC Tax Check code

If your previous driver licence was not issued for the full 3 years due to your limited right to work status, you can use this form to extend it up to the full 3-year period, provided that your licence has not expired. If it has expired, you will need to apply for a new licence.

For further information about making an extension application, visit the webpage.

Evidence of your Right to Work. This can be a UK passport or a non-UK passport which must be accompanied by a Home Office Right to Work code or another document that shows you have the Right to Work in the UK.

• View further information about what evidence is accepted

HMRC Tax Check Code

• More information on HMRC Tax Check code

• a valid credit or debit card to pay for your application
• all uploaded documents are clear and readable
• the uploads show all four corners in the picture

We aim to process all valid and complete applications within 10 working days, unless your application needs to be passed to an officer for investigation and a decision.

If you fail to provide accurate answers or provide false information to any of the questions asked, then your application is likely to be refused. Any driver refused a licence will be recorded on the national register of revocations and refusals. If an application is refused the council will usually require a minimum period of 3 years before considering a re-application.

Before we decide whether to grant or renew a taxi or PHV driver licence, a search will be made of the NR3S Register to identify any entries relating to the applicant. Applicants are required to note that their personal data will be placed on the Register if at any time their licence is revoked, suspended or an application or licence renewal is refused.

Applicants should also note that information on the NR3S Register will be retained for up to 11 years. Applicants have a right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner Telephone: 0303 123 1113.

If you have questions about the NR3S Register, contact the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) Data and Intelligence Service.

NAFN Data and Intelligence Services, Tameside MBC, PO Box 304, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 0GA

Contact details for the council’s Data Protection Officer are available from the council’s Privacy Policy.

We are the controller for the personal information we use about you. We're committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services.

The law requires us to give you details about how we use and protect your information, view the taxi licensing privacy policy.

For information and support with the licensing process, you can contact taxi licensing.