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All licensed drivers whose Safeguarding Training is more than 3 years old (as of 31 December 2026) are required to complete refresher training and provide their certificate to the Licensing team no later than 31 December 2026. Affected drivers were contacted by email on 7 July 2026.

Drivers may choose to complete the training through one of the approved (CPD Certified) providers below:

• S.T.C Taxi Safeguarding Training Virtual Course - stcsafeguarding.co.uk/training
• Blue Lamp Trust - Virtual Safeguarding Course for Taxi Drivers - bltdrivertraining.co.uk

Submitting your certificate

A copy of the training certificate must be submitted to licensing@winchester.gov.uk

Failure to provide evidence of completion of the required Safeguarding Refresher Training by the specified deadline may result in the suspension of a Hackney Carriage and/or Private Hire Driver's Licence until a valid certificate is received.

For further information, please contact the Licensing Team.

We know that some drivers are continuing to work and provide a vital service to the public, and this puts them at risk. In view of the currently high rates of COVID-19 transmission we want to support and remind drivers of the need to protect themselves, in addition to doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the infection.

Drivers are strongly recommended to wear a face mask whilst carrying passengers in their vehicle (unless it affects the ability to drive safely) and having a window open for ventilation.

Passengers must wear a face mask at all times, unless exempt. We appreciate that this is hard to enforce but drivers are permitted to refuse a customer if they’re not satisfied that they are exempt from having to wear a mask.

A reminder that, between every journey, drivers should:

• Clean those parts of the vehicle that may have been touched by them or passengers, for example, door handles, payment devices, protective screens, buttons, seats;
• Open doors / windows to ventilate the car for 5 minutes;
• Wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser.

Read the full guidance for taxi and private hire drivers and operators.

A useful action card produced by Public Health England can be downloaded from this page.