Hackney Carriage Driver's Licence

A licence is required before any person can drive a licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.

This particular Licence allows you to drive a hackney carriage vehicle.

What do I need to do?

Before submitting your application you should complete the following:

Read the ‘Doncaster Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy’. A copy of the policy is available from Council House reception and can be viewed online.

You are advised to pay particular attention to ‘Appendix 2 Statement of Policy about Relevant Convictions’ before doing anything else.

Book, attend and pass the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) practical driving test (and Wheelchair assessment test if applying for Hackney Carriage or Joint licence) – further information on the DSA test is available from the the following website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Drivingforaliving/DG_182835
Revise for the Council knowledge test.
Book, attend and pass the Doncaster Council knowledge test – tests can be booked either at the Council House reception, by telephoning the Licensing Department or by completing the form attached to this page 'Driver Knowledge Test Booking Form' and returning it to the address at the top of this page with the required fee (fee table below).

You MUST produce photographic I.D. (valid passport / driving licence) each time you attend for a test. Anyone who fails to produce the required identification will not be permitted to sit the test.

Ensure your driving licence is in your current address. If it is a photocard licence you will need to produce both parts.
Obtain a ‘Group 2’ medical from your GP using the ‘DVLA D4 Medical Examination Report Form’.
Get a passport sized photograph of yourself (taken recently). No hats or head covering (unless worn for religious reasons).
Fill in the application form and DVLA mandate - The forms can be found in the document attached to this page 'Driver Application (02/12)'
Fill in the CRB application form (you will be provided with a form once you have passed the Council knowledge test).
Obtain 2 forms of ID (other than your driving licence) which confirm your address (e.g. 2 utility bills no more than 3 months old).
If you have not lived in the UK for more than 5 years (continuously) you must contact your embassy for a certificate of good conduct.
If you do not hold an EU passport, you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.

Once you are satisfied that you have complied with all of the above requirements you can submit the application, supporting documents and fee to the Licensing Department at the address above.

How long does it last?

Once granted, your licence is valid for 12 months.

Relevant Convictions

When submitting an application for a licence to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle you are required to declare any motoring offences and any non motoring convictions or cautions you may have in addition to completing a Criminal Records Bureau check. The information received will be treated in confidence.

You are advised to read ‘Appendix 2 Statement of Policy about Relevant Convictions’ of 'Doncaster Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy', before doing anything else. The document can be viewed on the following page:

Doncaster Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy Web Page

Any applicant refused a drivers’ licence on the ground that he/she is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence has a right of appeal to a Magistrates’ Court.

How long does the process take?

You should normally allow approximately 8 weeks from receipt of your application for return of the required CRB checks.

You will be notified within 10 working days of us receiving your CRB disclosure; if your application has been successful or, if further enquiries are required.

If, during the application process, we become aware that the applicant either:

has relevant criminal convictions; or
there are concerns arising out of the assessment of the applicant’s driving licence

Such that the Authority cannot automatically determine whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold the licence applied for then the applicant will be invited to attend a Licensing Panel Hearing.

The Panel is made up of three managers from the Regulation & Enforcement Division of the Council. The purpose of the hearing is to allow the Panel, following discussion with the applicant, to make a more informed decision as to whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold licence for which they have applied.

We will endeavour to schedule Panel Hearings to take place within 28 days of the need being identified.

The applicant will be informed of the outcome within 7 days of the hearing.

We look forward to receiving your application and if you have any difficulty with any of the forms or have any questions, please contact us on the above contact details.

Your Right of Appeal

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Court who may give such directions regarding the licence as it thinks proper.