How to become a taxi driver
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against GOV.UK guidance on the date above
To become a taxi or private hire driver in the UK, you apply for a driver licence from your local council, or from Transport for London (TfL) if you want to work in the capital, and you'll typically need to show you can work legally in the UK, hold a full driving licence for at least 12 months, and pass an enhanced DBS check, with many councils also requiring a medical check, a local knowledge test and a driving assessment (GOV.UK, 23 August 2026).
Because each licensing authority runs its own process, the exact steps, tests and cost differ depending on where you apply - this guide sets out what's common everywhere and where you'll need to check locally.
This covers becoming a driver specifically; if you're setting up a private hire vehicle or operator business rather than just driving, see our private hire licence guide, and for the licensing system as a whole, see our taxi and private hire hub.
This is general information based on GOV.UK guidance, not professional or legal advice, and it doesn't replace checking the exact requirements with your own licensing authority.
What do you need before you apply?
You need to show you can work legally in the UK, hold a qualifying driving licence, and pass your authority's "fit and proper person" assessment before you can be granted a taxi or PHV driver licence (GOV.UK, 23 August 2026).
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Right to work | Evidence you can legally work in the UK |
| Driving experience | Usually a full British, Northern Ireland or EU driving licence held for at least 12 months; other licences are at the authority's discretion |
| Character | Assessed as a "fit and proper person" by your licensing authority |
| Age | Not set on GOV.UK's general driver licence guidance; some authorities set their own local minimum - confirm with yours |
What tests will you need to pass?
Most licensing authorities expect an enhanced DBS check, and many also require a medical examination, a local "knowledge" test and a driving test or assessment, though GOV.UK is explicit that these depend on your authority rather than being fixed nationally (GOV.UK, 23 August 2026).
| Test or check | What it's for | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced DBS check | Criminal record check, with recommended rechecks roughly every 6 months | Your council or TfL, following DfT statutory standards (25 November 2022) |
| Medical examination | Confirms you're medically fit to drive for hire | Your licensing authority |
| Knowledge test | Local area knowledge and licensing rules | Your licensing authority |
| Driving test or assessment | Practical driving assessment | Your licensing authority |
| Safeguarding training | Recognising vulnerability, reporting concerns, including county lines awareness | Recommended nationally by DfT (25 November 2022), delivered locally |
The Department for Transport's statutory standards, published 25 November 2022, recommend that licensing authorities require drivers to complete safeguarding training and stay enrolled on the DBS Update Service so their record can be rechecked roughly every 6 months - but authorities "must reach their own decisions" about exactly how they apply this, which is why practice still varies (DfT, 25 November 2022).
How do you apply, step by step?
- Check which authority you'll apply to - your local council, or TfL if you plan to work in London.
- Confirm you meet the basics - right to work, a full driving licence held 12+ months, and nothing that would fail a "fit and proper person" check.
- Gather your documents - ID, proof of address, your driving licence and right-to-work evidence; your authority will list exactly what it needs.
- Book and complete any local tests - medical, knowledge test and driving assessment, wherever your authority requires them.
- Apply for your enhanced DBS check as part of the application, and sign up to the DBS Update Service if your authority asks you to.
- Submit your application and pay your authority's fee - the amount is set locally, so check your own council's or TfL's current figure.
- Complete a tax check with HMRC if you already hold a taxi or PHV licence elsewhere and are applying for another.
- Wait for your authority's decision - if approved, you'll usually be issued a driver licence lasting 3 years.
- Apply for your vehicle licence (and operator licence, if relevant) from the same authority before you start work - see our private hire licence guide for how those fit together.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
GOV.UK doesn't publish a national timescale or fee for a taxi or private hire driver licence, because both are set by your own licensing authority - so the only reliable figures are the ones your council or TfL publishes (GOV.UK, 23 August 2026).
There's no way round checking locally - the free official first step is always your own council's licensing page (or TfL's, in London). Read GOV.UK's official guidance →
✓ Checked against GOV.UK, 23 August 2026 - no national fee or timescale is published.
We're building a council-by-council lookup so you'll be able to check your own area's fee and requirements in one place - it's coming soon and isn't live yet.
Renewing your licence
Your taxi or PHV driver licence doesn't renew automatically - you need to apply to renew it with your licensing authority before it expires, or you won't be able to keep working (GOV.UK, 23 August 2026).
As part of renewing, you'll also need to complete a tax check telling HMRC how you pay tax on your earnings - the same applies if you already hold a licence in one area and are applying for a licence of the same type somewhere else (GOV.UK, 23 August 2026).
Ask your own licensing authority for its specific renewal process and timing, since GOV.UK doesn't set one national renewal window for taxi and PHV driver licences.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to become a taxi driver?
GOV.UK's general guidance doesn't set one national minimum age for taxi and PHV drivers, so this is set locally - check your own council's or TfL's requirements.
Do you need a special driving test to become a taxi driver?
Many councils require a driving assessment on top of your normal driving licence, but not all do, so confirm with your own licensing authority.
How long does it take to become a taxi driver?
GOV.UK doesn't publish a fixed national timescale, since it depends on your authority's own process and how quickly you complete any required checks and tests.
Can I become a taxi driver with a criminal record?
Your licensing authority makes its own "fit and proper person" assessment as part of your enhanced DBS check, so this depends on the details of your record and the authority's own policy rather than one national rule.
Do you need a licence to drive for Uber or a similar app?
Yes - driving for a booking app is private hire work, so you and the vehicle need to be licensed by your local authority, and the app or firm needs its own operator licence.
Does the licence cover both taxis and private hire vehicles?
No. A taxi (hackney carriage) driver licence and a private hire driver licence are applied for and issued separately, even though the application process looks similar.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to GOV.UK, any local council, Transport for London or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your situation, contact your own licensing authority directly.