Licensed Drivers - New Applicants
If you are looking to become a new licensed driver with Fenland, please ensure you have read our current policy and fully aware of the conditions/requirements.
Document checklist
You need to submit your:
- Medical form
- Driving assessment
- DVLA Check Code
- DVLA drivers licence
- Safeguarding awareness certificate specific for Taxi Drivers
- Valid 'right to work' documents
- An Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate
Fees
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How to Apply
Once you are ready to apply, please click on the below link to submit your application and pay the fees. At the time of submission you will be paying the application and Knowledge test fee.
If you need to complete a DBS form, we will arrange for payment to be taken at a later date.
Apply to be a licenced Hackney Carriage driver
Apply to be a licenced Private Hire driver
Knowledge Test
Once you have submitted your application and it has been verified you will receive the Knowledge test Information including the revision material. At this time you will be offered the next available appointment to attend our office in person and sit the test. The Knowledge test has 5 parts and includes:
- Legislation & Conditions
- Knowledge of the District
- Basic written understanding of English & Maths
- Routes of the District (Applicable to Hackney Carriage Only)
- A clear speaking & understanding of English language - Oral assessment
On attending your Knowledge Test you will be required to bring with you the following original documents:
- DBS Certificate
- Right to work documents - for example Passport
- Passport photo signed by a professional person confirming it's a true likeness of you.
The fee set for the knowledge tests only includes one test. Any further re-tests will be charged at the set fee.
If you have completed the Knowledge test in smaller sections, the fee for sitting one section is £20.
Driver medicals
A medical is required for a new application and periodically throughout the licence depending on age and medical conditions. In line with our policy, this must be completed by a GMC registered doctor. This can include the following:
- Your own GP
- A GP at a doctors surgery
- A private company that uses GMC registered doctors - such as D4Drivers
Please make sure both forms (certificate & D4) are fully completed and signed. Failure to do this will result in the medical form being refused.
Driving Assessment
You need to demonstrate an competent level of driving in order to carry passengers on a regular basis, this test can be completed by either Bluelamp or Caroline's Driving School. Once completed you will receive a pass certificate which must be submitted along with you application.
DVLA Check Code
In order for us to verify your driving licence details using the online system, we need you to provide us with a share code. This code can be obtained from - View or share your driving licence information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
DVLA Driving Licence
You must provide us with an original copy of your driving licence, it must be A full DVLA driving licence for at least 12 months; or A licence from a EEA or EU state for at least 12 months
Safeguarding Course
There are online courses available, but please make sure its specific to Taxi Drivers. Going forward we will be offering an in house course and will keep you updated of the live date.
Right to Work
In order for us to licence you as a driver, you must be able to demonstrate you have the correct right to work in the UK. The gov.uk website has a right to work checklist that explains what you need and a full list of Identity documents. You need at least:
- one document to confirm your current name
- one document to confirm your date of birth
- one document to confirm your current address
An identity document could be a valid passport, recent utility bill/bank statement, birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of national insurance number.
Check if a document allows someone to work in the UK.
DBS Certificate
This must be an enhanced certificate and specific for the area of work you are completing, for example Taxi Driver.
If you do not have a valid DBS certificate, we will contact you to arrange for the online invite to be sent after you have submitted your application. During this time we will need to verify your original documents.
Once you have received your original certificate, please ensure you sign up to the online update service. This is a mandatory requirement within our policy as update checks must be completed every 6 months. Please ensure you bring the original certificate with you when completing the Knowledge test as an officer will take a copy for our records.
The Government has updated the checklist for which documents are acceptable for DBS checks. Please see the ID checking guidelines for standard/enhanced DBS check applications from 1 July 2021.
View the supporting documents we will accept for a DBS certificate (PDF) [145KB] .
Reporting changes
Please tell us if you've:
- Changed your name or address (Word doc) [43KB]
- Lost your badge (Word doc) [76KB]
- Been in an accident (Word doc) [104KB]
- Received penalty points (Word doc) [42KB]
- Had a change in health (Word doc) [42KB]
- Got a new employer (Word doc) [126KB]
You may also need a:
- Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence; and/or
- Private Hire Vehicle Licence; and/or
- Private Hire Operators Licence
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) - Driver Exemptions
From 28 June, the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 ("The 2022 Act") will take effect.
If you are the driver of a designated wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), you can apply for an exemption certificate on medical grounds or where your physical condition prevents you from performing the mobility assistance duties as Sections 164a and 165 (as added/amended by the 2022 Act).
We recommend that drivers provide evidence to support their application, preferably from an independent medical professional.
If you do receive an exemption notice, both new or existing when displayed correctly, will exempt a driver only from the mobility assistance duties as Sections 164a and 165. This means, for example, that a driver's medical condition can no longer be used as a justification for charging a disabled person more than a non-disabled person.