Apply for a taxi driver licence

How to apply

Our online process makes applying and renewing taxi and private hire licences quicker and easier. As part of the ongoing modernisation of our taxi and private hire licensing service, you can create an online account. This means that if you're a taxi and private hire driver, or applicant, you can apply for or renew an existing licence and track its progress during the application process.

We process all applications within specific parameters. For existing drivers, applications are processed in order of their licence expiry date, to ensure continual licensing wherever possible. New applications are processed in order of the date we receive the application.

Applicants for a taxi driver's licence will only ever be asked to pay the cost of an application, please see table below for fees. We do not offer a fast-track service and will never charge more than the advertised costs.

If you have been approached by a third-party offering a fast-track service at an additional cost, this is fraudulent and you should report it to us at tphreport@tfl.gov.uk.

To apply, you can start your application by registering online. Details of the criteria to be met can be found below.

You will be asked to provide some personal details so we can create an account for you and allow you to complete your online application or request an application pack.

Please note, TfL requires that all given names on any official identity documents are displayed on your taxi driver's licence. 

 

We strongly recommend that all your identity documents match. Our expectation is that all official documents have a consistent spelling and are in the correct order. This will  prevent any queries in regards to your identity during the course of your licence or application.

 

As part of your application, you will need to provide a photograph of yourself. See our guidance on the type of photograph we will accept.

Alternatively, please email us at tph.enquiries@tfl.gov.uk to request an application pack.

If you have ever lived in a country other than the UK for one or more continuous periods of three months please download the 'Living and working abroad' form and submit this with your application.

Before you can start learning the Knowledge, you need to apply to be a licensed taxi driver and have your application approved.

The time it takes to become a licensed driver depends on whether you choose to learn the All-London Knowledge or a Suburban sector.

To apply for a licence, you will need to meet the following criteria:

  • You must be at least 18 years old at the time of applying (although you cannot be licensed until you are 21 years old). There is no upper age limit, as long as you meet the other licensing requirements
  • You must hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland, or other European Economic Area state driving licence
  • You must have the right to live and work in the UK

You must meet our character and medical requirements.

Character requirements

You must be of good character. To establish this you will be required to undertake an 'enhanced' criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) through our authorised service provider

Renewing your driver's licence

We recommend that you make your renewal application online. The online process makes it quicker and easier to apply for both new and renewal driver licences. It also allows you to track your application.

You will be asked to enter your online registration details. These can be found in your renewal application pack which is sent to you four months before the expiry date of your licence. Once you have registered, you will be asked to provide some personal details so we can create an account for you and link your licence to your account.

Once you receive your renewal application pack from us, please apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a criminal records check. You will also need to apply to register for the DBS Update Service (see section below) unless you have done so already.

Your original DBS certificate must meet TfL's strict criteria to be accepted for a licence application, including the declaration of any variations of identity that may appear on official I.D documents.

DBS Update Service

All applicants for a taxi or private hire driver's licence must register with and subscribe to the DBS Update Service. We will not be able to grant a licence unless you have registered. Once licensed, you must maintain continuous subscription with the Update Service. Find out how to register and other details on the DBS Update Service page.

Please also see the video and guidance documents below:

Medical requirements

You must be medically fit which means meeting the DVLA Group 2 medical standards. In most cases, this will mean that you will have to undergo a medical examination with someone who has access to your full medical history.

HMRC Tax Check

From 4 April 2022, HMRC introduced new tax checks for all taxi and private hire drivers, as well as PHV operators. As a licensed driver, you should be registered to pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade.  
 
You will need to complete a tax check with HMRC (using your GOV.UK Government Gateway ID and password). You must then obtain a unique 9-character tax check code which confirms your registration to pay tax. The tax check code will then need to be provided to TfL as part of your application to renew your licence. 

Guidance is available on GOV.UK to help you complete the tax check. 

Please note:

  • You will need to ensure that you provide the correct tax check code for the type of licence that is being applied for, i.e. a taxi or private hire driver's licence
  • A tax check code is only valid for 120 days from when it is obtained from HMRC. Please bear this in mind when submitting your application. If the code has expired, we will be unable to complete the check and your application will be incomplete
  • Please ensure that you record the tax check code clearly and correctly on your application form

Should a tax check code be required, but it is not provided, then your application will be deemed to be incomplete. Your application cannot then be fully processed until the required tax check code has been provided and a check undertaken by TfL.

 

Guidance for EU/EEA nationals

Please see the document provided for information on the requirements for EU/EEA nationals to demonstrate their right to work in the United Kingdom.

Safeguarding Awareness

All applicants are expected to take the online Safeguarding Awareness training course. This course contains important information on protecting children and vulnerable adults at risk from harm and abuse.

More information on the introduction of the Safeguarding Awareness course is available in TPH Notice 13/21 (PDF 151KB) and on our Safeguarding awareness page.

How much will my application cost?

Payment can be made via all major credit or debit cards by completing the appropriate section in the application form. Other payment options are available via the Post Office® 'Check and Send' service.

The table below highlights the typical cost of an application. However, some costs may vary.

Service Fee
DBS disclosure application £52 (online)
£54 (paper)
Licence application fee (non-refundable) £120
Grant of licence fee £180
Knowledge of London written examination
(All London only)
£200
Knowledge of London appearance
(One off payment)
£400
DSA Hackney Carriage driving test (payment to DSA) £92.94 (normal hours)
£112.34 (evenings and Saturdays)
£50 (wheelchair test only)
Post Office® Check and Send £7.15
Medical assessment
(Payable to your GP who can advise you of the cost)
£80 (approximately)

Equal opportunities

Becoming a licensed taxi or private hire driver is open to all. If you're a disabled person and interested in becoming a driver, there are some things to consider.

We try to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to get through the application and assessment process. However, there are some medical conditions that, for public safety reasons, will mean you can't be licensed, so it is important that you discuss your situation with your GP before you apply. For full information on medical guidelines please refer to the DVLA Group 2 guidelines.

Some licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have modifications made to them to enable people to drive them.

Vehicle adaptations include:

  • Steering wheel ball
  • Hand-operated braking controls
  • Hand-operated accelerator controls
  • Reconfigured foot pedal controls
  • Infra-red control panel for operating vehicle lights, indicators and horn

Drivers who use vehicle adaptations will need to be assessed by a medical professional and driver assessor. They will recommend what adaptations are needed and exactly what equipment must be fitted to ensure the driver has full control of the vehicle at all times.

The recommended adaptations and equipment must be fitted by an authorised Motability installer. Documentary evidence that the installer is authorised is required. Before you have any equipment fitted or adaptations made to your vehicle, you should first contact our licensing team.

Convictions and exemptions

Disclosure and Barring service check

If you have completed a enhanced disclosure including both barred lists under the workforce code of 'Other' in a relevant occupation, in the last four months, you are exempt for requiring a further check.

Medical

Applicants are exempt from completing a medical form as part of their application if they:

  • Hold a DVLA Group 2 licence (full or a provisional licence issued since January 1998)
  • Have an active application with us, have completed our medical and are under the age of 45

Active applicants or existing licensees must have a medical exam if over the age of 45 and the last medical was done more than three years ago, or you're subject to providing an age-related medical.

To apply for any of the above exemptions email us at tph.enquiries@tfl.gov.uk stating the exemption you want to apply for. We will email you the correct form.

Convictions

If you have any of the following convictions, it's unlikely that your application will be successful. Before submitting an application, please consider:

  • Any conviction for a major violent offence (murder, manslaughter etc)
  • Whether you have more than one conviction of any type of violent offence in the last 10 years
  • If you are still serving a custodial sentence, even if you have been released early on licence or the sentence was suspended
  • If you have been convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for a serious sexual offence (rape, indecent assault, trafficking, possession of indecent images etc)
  • Whether you have been convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for more than one sexual offence of any type, irrespective of age
  • Whether you are listed on either the Children's or Adults' barred list
  • If you have been convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for touting in the last 12 months or have more than one penalty for touting in the last five years

This is not an exhaustive list, licensing decisions are made on a case by case basis.

Taxi and private hire driver policy

Policies, advice and guidance on licensing taxi and private hire drivers in London.