How to Get a Taxi License in the UK: A Simple Guide

Driving a cab looks simple from the outside, but getting licensed takes more steps than people expect. You apply through your local council, not a national body, so the process and costs change depending on where you want to work.

The main stages are the same everywhere, though. You check your eligibility, sort your driving licence, pass a knowledge test, clear a DBS check and a medical, then apply. Here’s how getting a taxi licence actually works.

Check You Meet the Basic Eligibility Rules

Taxi license eligibility is set by each council, but the standards are similar. Most want you to be at least 21, have the right to work in the UK and be what the law calls a “fit and proper person”.

Councils also ask for proof of identity and address, plus your full licensing history. Declare any licence you’ve held elsewhere. Authorities share information and a hidden refusal causes far more trouble than the original issue.

Hold the Right Driving Licence First

You need a full GB or Northern Ireland driving licence before applying for a taxi licence and most councils want you to have held it for at least 12 months. EU licences are often accepted, sometimes after an exchange.

If you don’t hold one yet, that’s your first cost. GOV.UK lists the current driving licence fees, including the fee for a first provisional licence. Driving licence costs in the UK are small next to council fees, but still worth budgeting.

Decide Between a Taxi or a Private Hire Licence

There are two types of cab driving licences. A hackney carriage licence lets you pick up passengers from ranks or in the street. A private hire licence covers pre-booked work only, which is how most minicab firms operate.

Some councils issue a dual licence covering both. In London, the private hire equivalent is the PCO licence issued by Transport for London. Decide which you want early, as the tests and fees differ.

Pass the Knowledge Test

Most councils run a knowledge test exam on local geography, landmarks, hospitals, schools and main routes. Some also cover the Highway Code, licensing conditions and basic fare calculations. Hackney carriage tests tend to be harder than private hire ones.

Prepare properly instead of relying on sat nav. Drive the area, learn the one-way systems and the quickest routes between places passengers actually ask for. Councils charge for each attempt, so passing it the first time saves money.

Get Your DBS Check and Medical

Every applicant needs an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, applied for through the council rather than by yourself. Many councils also ask you to join the DBS Update Service. Convictions don’t rule you out automatically, but they will be assessed.

You’ll also need a medical to DVLA Group 2 standard, signed off by a doctor. It covers eyesight, heart conditions, diabetes and general fitness to drive professionally. GP fees for this vary, so it’s best to check before booking.

Complete the Required Training

Most councils now expect safeguarding and child exploitation awareness training, plus disability awareness. Some add a practical driving assessment or an English language test. These used to be optional extras and are now standard in many areas.

Check your council’s list before booking anything. Courses taken with an unapproved provider sometimes aren’t accepted, which means paying twice. Your licensing team will usually name the providers they recognise.

Submit the Application and Pay the Fees

When applying for a taxi service licence, you hand in your forms, documents, DBS result, medical certificate and test pass. Fees normally cover the application, DBS, knowledge test and badge, so ask for a full breakdown rather than a headline price.

Before proceeding with everything else, it’s important to understand the timeline of getting a taxi licence. Processing takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the council’s workload. 

What Happens Once You’re Licensed

A driver’s badge alone isn’t enough to start work. The vehicle needs its own licence and must pass a council inspection. Private hire drivers also have to be attached to a licensed operator, since they can’t accept work off the street.

Many new drivers join an established firm first, because the bookings, insurance and admin are already sorted. Becoming a taxi driver in the UK means one needs to know about working hours, earnings and what the job is really like, instead of just the licensing process. 

Keep the Licence Once You Have It

Licences run for a set period, usually one or three years, then need renewing. Renewal normally means a fresh DBS check, an updated medical for older drivers and another fee, so diarise the date well in advance.

Councils can also review your licence at any time. Keep your medical conditions declared, report any motoring convictions promptly and keep your insurance and MOT current. Most suspensions come from paperwork slipping, not from bad driving.

Conclusion

Getting licensed takes patience more than anything else. Check your council’s rules first, make sure your driving licence meets the minimum period, prepare for the knowledge test and start the DBS and medical early, since those cause most delays. Once the badge arrives, the next job is filling your diary. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the requirements for getting a taxi licence in the UK?
Usually you must be 21 or over, hold a full driving licence for at least 12 months, have the right to work in the UK, pass a knowledge test, an enhanced DBS check and a Group 2 medical, and be judged a fit and proper person.

What driving licence do you need to become a taxi driver?
A full GB or Northern Ireland driving licence, held for at least 12 months in most areas. Some councils accept EU licences or ask you to exchange them for a UK one.

Is a medical examination required for a taxi driver’s licence?
Yes. You need a medical to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Group 2 standard, signed by a doctor, repeated at set intervals as you get older.

How much does a taxi licence cost in the UK?
It depends on your council. The total combines the application fee, DBS check, knowledge test, training and medical, so ask your licensing team for a full breakdown first.

Can you get a taxi licence with penalty points on your driving licence?
Often, yes. A few points for minor offences usually aren’t a barrier, but serious or repeated offences may be. Each council reviews cases individually.