Drive a taxi or private-hire vehicle
Introduction
You need a licence from your local authority to drive a hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle. The licensing system ensures that drivers offer a safe and professional service to their passengers.
In some areas, to get this licence you need to pass a practical assessment designed specifically for taxi or private hire drivers.
This guide explains how to apply for your licence. It also describes what to expect from the assessment, and gives advice on how to book it.
What you need to apply for your taxi or private hire vehicle licence
Hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire vehicle licences are issued by individual local authorities.
To apply, you will need to check the specific requirements of the licensing department at the local authority for the area you intend to operate in. You can find your local authority on the Directgov website - Opens in a new window.
You must fulfil the standard conditions of:
being able to work legally in the UK
holding a full UK driver's licence issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency or a full European Union driving licence together with a UK paper counterpart
For more information, refer to your private hire hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
Other requirements for getting your licence may include paying a fee and passing:
a criminal record check
a medical
a 'knowledge' test - to prove you have reasonable geographical knowledge of the area in which you intend to drive
Some councils also require you to take the Driving Standards Agency's practical assessment for taxi and private hire drivers.
How to book your taxi or private hire vehicle assessment
Before booking a hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle practical driver's test, you should find out what you will be assessed on. For more information, refer to your private hire/hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
Before the assessment, you are strongly advised to:
take lessons with a professional driving instructor
read the Highway Code
familiarise yourself with the content of the assessment and your vehicle
Booking your test
Driver assessments can be taken at your local Driving Standards Agency (DSA) test centre. You can find your nearest test centre on the DSA website. - Opens in a new window
You can book your practical assessment:
online
by phone
by post
You will need one of the following:
a full UK or Northern Ireland licence, both photocard and paper counterpart
a full British old style paper licence and current passport
a recognisable full European Union (EU) licence and UK paper counterpart with a current passport if your EU licence does not have a photograph
You will also need a valid debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro or Solo), or for postal bookings a cheque or postal order.
You can book your practical driving test for a taxi online - private hire or hackney carriage - Opens in a new window.
Booking by phone
You can book over the phone by calling the following numbers:
DSA Helpline on Tel 0300 200 1122
DSA Helpline for Wales on Tel 0300 200 1133
DSA Helpline (Textphone) on Tel 0300 200 1144
Once you have been connected to the DSA helpline, the telephone options you need to follow to book a practical taxi test are 2, 1, 1, 4.
Booking by post
To book your test by post, you will need to download the practical driving test application form from the DSA website (PDF) - Opens in a new window.
For guidance on filling out the application form, you can download the information sheet DL26/I from the DSA website (PDF) - Opens in a new window.
You can also request application forms by phone. You can call the DSA Helpline on Tel 0300 200 1122.
Once you have filled out the form, you should post it with a cheque or postal order to:
Driving Standards Agency
PO Box 280
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE99 1FP
Cash payments are not accepted, but you may make a credit card payment by contacting the DSA over the phone.
Test fees
For details of current assessment fees, see our guide to fees for driving instructors, motorcycle trainers and taxi drivers.
Cancelling or rescheduling your test
You can reschedule or cancel a test:
online - this service is available from 06.00 to 24.00, seven days a week
by phone
Providing you give the DSA three clear working days' notice you can:
move or change your test
cancel your test
get a full refund of your test fee
You should note that we now include Saturday as a working day.
You can book your practical driving test for a taxi online - private hire or hackney carriage - Opens in a new window.
If you prefer to phone, you can call the DSA Helpline on Tel 0300 200 1122.
What the taxi or private hire vehicle assessment involves
The standard of the hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle assessment is set at a level suitable for a full driving licence holder. It is therefore higher than the learner driver test.
The eyesight test
At the start of your practical assessment, you will be asked to read in good daylight a vehicle registration number fixed to a motor vehicle with letters and figures 79.4 millimetres high at a distance of 20.5 metres (20 metres for a new-style number plate). You can use glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
If you fail the eyesight test, you will be unable to take the driving part of the assessment. However, you will still be able to continue with the wheelchair section if appropriate.
The practical assessment
The practical assessment will last for about 35 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Some of the skills you will be assessed on are specific to taxi drivers, such as making U-turns and not stopping anywhere that could be dangerous for a passenger getting out of your vehicle. The examiner will also ask you a few questions on the Highway Code and ask you to identify some traffic signs and road markings.
During the practical assessment, you will be examined on:
your awareness and anticipation
your effective planning of prevailing road and traffic conditions
your correct use of speed
an emergency stop (there will be one in the assessment)
a manoeuvre involving reversing
a taxi or private hire related exercise
your passenger safety and comfort
a wheelchair element (for wheelchair enhanced vehicles if you requested the enhanced assessment)
For more information, refer to your private hire-hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
If you are taking the taxi or 'black cab' style test, you will need to answer some related 'cabology' questions. Examples of these include the dimensions of your vehicle, its correct tyre pressures and what you should do if a passenger leaves property behind.
For more information, refer to your private hire hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
You need to complete the assessment with no more than nine minor faults to pass. You will be failed if you make any serious or dangerous errors.
The wheelchair exercise
If you asked to take the enhanced assessment, your assessment will also include the wheelchair exercise. For more information, refer to your private hire/hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
What happens at the end of the taxi or private hire vehicle assessment
When you pass your practical assessment, you will receive:
a pass certificate (form TPH10)
the offer of a debrief
a copy of your assessment
When you pass your wheelchair assessment, you will receive:
a pass certificate (form WTPH10)
the offer of a debrief
a copy of your assessment
If you fail one or both parts, you will receive:
the offer of a debrief
a copy of your assessment
training advice
If you fail the practical assessment, you might want to retake it at a later date. You must, however, wait a minimum period of three clear working days before you retake it. We now count Saturday as a working day.
There is no limit to the number of times you can attempt either assessment.
Hackney saloon vehicles, private hire saloon vehicles, Highway Code/traffic signs/cabology questions weekday £76.34 weekend £92.00
Hackney wheelchair enhanced, wheelchair accessible vehicles and Highway code/traffic signs/cabology questions weekday £89.07 weekend £107.66
Wheelchair exercise weekday £25.45 weekend £31.31
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