Private hire driver's licences

A licence is required before any person can drive a private hire vehicle carrying passengers as a business.

Before a licence is granted the applicant must satisfy the Council that:

• he/she is a fit and proper person to hold a licence;
• he/she is medically fit;
• he/she has attained the age of 21 years;
• he/she has held a full driver's licence (not a provisional licence) granted to the applicant under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1972 authorising him/her to drive a motor car for at least twelve months prior to the date of the application;
• he/she produce a satisfactory check from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to ensure the safety of the public

New applicants will also have to pass the Driving Standards Agency taxi driving assessment and pass a written knowledge test.

Once the application form has been completed, you need to make an appointment to visit the City Offices, bringing with you the following documentation:

• the completed application form
• your DVLA Driving Licence (original - not a photocopy) showing your current address
• your passport or birth certificate
• your National Insurance number
• two utility bills issued in the last 3 months as proof of your address
• fees - currently £107 initial fee, renewal £79. Plus £36 for CRB check.

Applications will not be accepted without production of the above.

Upon production of the forms at the City Offices, you will be asked to complete a form to enable us to check with the Criminal Records Bureau for any records held against you. Please be aware that we normally allow approximately up to 8 weeks from receipt of your application for return of these checks as this is the average time that they take.

Applicants who were born outside the UK will also be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from their embassy or home country.

All identification documents will be scanned and sent to the Home Office for verification.

Once your application has been accepted and the fee has been paid, an appointment will be made for you to sit a test of local knowledge of the area. The knowledge tests are held on one date per month, usually the last Thursday of the month.

If you have any difficulty with any of the forms or have any questions, please contact us by email licensing@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848 188 or 848 179.

Downloads:

File format	File title	File size / Download time
	Private hire driver Application form	31K 56Kbps Modem: 4 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second
	Private hire driver Application form	69K 56Kbps Modem: 10 Seconds Broadband: 1 Second