Taxi driver licence
We are open for Stage 1 - Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) applications. Please download and complete a new application pack to apply for a test date.
You must have a taxi driver licence before you can drive a licensed vehicle as a taxi. Both driver and vehicle licences must be issued by the same council.
For taxi drivers we issue a dual driver licence, which permits the holder to drive both licensed hackney carriage vehicles and private hire vehicles, but the conditions that apply to each type of vehicle must always be complied with.
Hackney carriage vehicles and private hire vehicles have different specifications and operate in different ways. Find out more about taxi vehicle licences.
Taxi driver licences are issued for a maximum period of three years.
On this page:
Who can apply for a licence
To be able to apply for a taxi driver licence, you must:
- be at least 21 years of age
- have a right to work in UK
- have a full DVLA driving licence entitlement for at least two years
- show that you are a fit and proper person to hold this type of licence
Background checks, including any criminal record, will be undertaken as part of the application process.
If you have criminal and/or motoring convictions (whether spent or not), you must provide us with details of the conviction(s) including dates and the sentence received.
We can then provide further advice on whether you should apply. You can contact us by email to licensing@nfdc.gov.uk.
Apply for a taxi driver licence
Applying for a taxi driver licence is a two-stage process, as detailed below.
Stage one
You must first pass our Driver Knowledge Test. This is held under classroom conditions at our main office in Lyndhurst.
The test consists of two sections with 55 questions in total. Question areas included in the test are:
Section 1
- hackney carriage and private hire regulations and the law
Section 2
- general driving and the Highway Code
- english and numeracy
- geographic knowledge of the New Forest area
You will need to download and study the information below before taking the test.
New Forest District Council Taxi Licensing Policy (PDF) [171KB] (opens new window)
Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976 (PDF) [468KB] (opens new window)
Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 (PDF) [60KB] (opens new window)
You should also study the Highway Code, road safety and vehicle rules on the GOV.UK website.
No assistance will be provided for geographical knowledge of New Forest.
When you have revised all question areas, you can complete the booking form and return it to us in person, by email or post, along with any required documentation (further details can be found on the application form). Allow up to 4 weeks to be allocated a test date. Please do not chase up your application within this time.
If you are a Non-British Citizen, or a British Citizen who has lived outside of the UK in the last five years, you will need to produce original evidence of 'Good Conduct' from other countries you have lived in along with your booking form. Refer to the test pack for further information. If this is not provided then your application may be delayed or rejected.
There may be a waiting period for a test date.
A payment of £37 is required before a test date can be allocated.
You can download the application pack below.
Taxi Driver Knowledge Test Application Pack (PDF) [639KB] (opens new window)
If you require a hard copy of the application pack, you can collect one from any of our information offices.
Your results will usually be emailed to you within a week of your test.
Stage two
Once you have passed our Driver Knowledge Test, we will send you a Licensed Driver Application Pack to complete, along with guidance notes.
When submitting your application, you will need to provide:
- a completed application form
- your DVLA driving licence card showing your current address
- a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application form to request an enhanced level check
- relevant ID documents to support your DBS application
- a medical examination form to DVLA Group Two standard of fitness, to be completed by your own GP or doctor from the practice, which is less than 3 months old (or an HGV or PCV licence as proof of medical fitness)
- a passport-type photograph taken within the last month
- completed DVLA mandate to request a full driving licence check
- proof of your right to work in the UK
- the correct licence fee
- a certificate to confirm that you have passed the Blue Lamp Trust Virtual Classroom Taxi Safeguarding Course, which is less than 3 months old
In some cases, further documentation will be requested to support your application.
We require all documentation to be originals, not copies or scans. You will need to present these at one of our local offices, where we will photocopy them, verify the copies and return the originals to you. Applications will not be accepted without your supporting documents.
The medical form or safeguarding course does not need to be completed when you make your application. You may wait until the necessary other checks have been returned to us or until you can get an appointment. A licence will not be issued until they are received though.
We normally allow at least eight weeks from receipt of your application for the return of DBS checks, but it can sometimes take longer. Your DBS certificate will be posted directly you when complete, which you will then need to provide to us.
Receiving your taxi driver licence
Once we have received all the documentation required, we will produce your licence and post this to you. Allow up to 10 days from receipt of the final document to the issue of the licence.
If there are any problems with the documentation, we will contact you.
Your licence will include the following:
- a paper licence with conditions, which you must take note of
- a photo ID badge. This must be worn and clearly visible to the public at all times while you are working
Licence fees
A list of taxi driver licence fees can be found below.
- Driver Knowledge Test: £37
- New or renewal dual driver licence for three years (includes driver's badge): £142
- DBS fee: £40
- DBS Update Service: £13 annually, payable directly to the DBS
- DVLA fee: £5
- Replacement driver badge: £12.50
- Medical: Varies, payable directly to your Doctor's surgery
- Blue Lamp safeguarding course: £25 payable directly to the Blue Lamp Trust
Driving wheelchair-accessible vehicles
To drive a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, you will need to have undertaken a Wheelchair Assessment in addition to having a taxi driver licence.
Once you have passed this assessment, you will need to provide us with your certificate. We will then endorse your badge.
Wheelchair Assessments are run by the Blue Lamp Trust, a non-profit organisation promoting community safety throughout Hampshire. You can book an assessment on its website using the online form below.
Public registers
We maintain public registers of the following taxi licences:
- wheelchair-accessible vehicles
- hackney carriage vehicles
- private hire vehicles
- taxi drivers
- operators
View a register of all our licensed taxi drivers using the link below.
Contact details
You can contact us if you have any questions about taxi driver licences.
Email: licensing@nfdc.gov.uk
Phone: 023 8028 5505
Licensing Services
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA
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