Right to work checks for taxi and private hire drivers
If you apply for or renew a hackney carriage or private hire driver licence, we must check that you have the right to work in the UK. This is a legal requirement and applies to everyone.
We carry out these checks as part of the licensing process to make sure all drivers are treated fairly and consistently.
Why we carry out right to work checks
Under the Immigration Act 2016, councils must check that anyone holding a taxi or private hire driver licence is allowed to work in the UK.
We may check your information with the Home Office and share relevant data where the law allows.
How the right to work check works
An authorised officer will carry out the check in person.
You must bring your original documents, for example your passport. We will:
- check your documents
- take copies for our records
- return the originals to you during the appointment
Please note: if you do not bring the required documents, we may refuse your application.
If your right to work is time-limited
If you only have permission to work in the UK for a limited period:
- your licence will not last longer than your permission to work
- we will check your right to work again each time you renew or extend your licence
If you become disqualified from holding a licence because you no longer have the right to work in the UK, your licence will lapse. You must return it to us. Keeping a licence you are no longer entitled to hold is a criminal offence.
Fair treatment for all applicants
We carry out the same right to work checks for every applicant. This helps make sure the process is fair and does not discriminate against anyone.
Documents you can use to prove your right to work
You must bring documents from either List A or List B, depending on your immigration status.
List A: permanent right to work in the UK
You can use one of the following documents if you have a permanent right to work in the UK:
- A passport (current or expired) showing you are a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies with the right of abode in the UK
- A passport or passport card (current or expired) showing you are an Irish citizen
- A document issued by Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, verified by the Home Office Employer Checking Service, showing unlimited leave to enter or remain under the relevant Appendix EU rules
- A current passport endorsed to show you are exempt from immigration control, allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, have the right of abode, or have no time limit on your stay
- A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office confirming indefinite leave to remain or no time limit on stay, plus an official document showing your permanent National Insurance number
- A UK birth or adoption certificate, plus an official document showing your permanent National Insurance number
- A birth or adoption certificate from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, plus an official document showing your permanent National Insurance number
- A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, plus an official document showing your permanent National Insurance number. The National Insurance document must be issued by a government agency or a previous employer.
List B: temporary right to work in the UK
You can use one of the following documents if you have a time-limited right to work.
Group 1
- A current passport endorsed to show you are allowed to stay in the UK and do this type of work
- A document issued by Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, verified by the Home Office Employer Checking Service, showing limited leave to enter or remain under the relevant Appendix EU rules
- A current Immigration Status Document with a photograph issued by the Home Office confirming you may stay in the UK and do this work, plus an official document showing your permanent National Insurance number
Group 2
- A Home Office document showing you applied for leave under Appendix EU on or before 30 June 2021, plus a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service
- A non-digital Certificate of Application issued on or after 1 July 2021 under the EU Settlement Scheme, plus a Positive Verification Notice
- A document from Jersey or Guernsey showing an Appendix EU application made on or before 30 June 2021, plus a Positive Verification Notice
- An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office confirming you can do this work, plus a Positive Verification Notice
- A Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service confirming you may stay in the UK and do this work
What happens after you apply
Once you have submitted your application, we will contact you to arrange an appointment to check your right to work documents.