New applicants should have the following prepared before submitting their application to the Licensing Authority:
Competency and compliance test
The competency and compliance test assesses your ability to understand matters of equality, disability, passenger and driver safety, and other appropriate areas as highlighted. Please note: The result of this test will only be valid for 6 months.
Medical examination
Book a driver medical appointment. This can be done through a GP or Doctor with your full medical history available. You must download the medical form, print it and take it to your appointment. Please note: Your medical will only be valid for 4 months.
Driving and skills assessment
Book a driving and skills assessment with Blue Lamp Trust. The assessment takes 45 minutes. You will need to take your driving licence and current vehicle insurance certificate. Please note: The result of this test will only be valid for 6 months.
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service and DVLA licence checks
Register and pay for DBS and DVLA checks with TaxiPlus
Register for the update service within the deadline specified by the DBS. Failure to do so will require a six-monthly DBS check at an additional cost.
If you have lived outside the UK in the last 5 years or spent longer than 3 months in any other country, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct. The Home Office have a complete list of how to apply for every country internationally.
Complete safeguarding training hosted by Trust2Ride. This two-hour session covers:
Child sexual exploitation
Human trafficking
Recognising indicators and types of abuse
Driver and passenger safety
Best safeguarding practices
Passport style photograph
Applicants must provide a digital passport style photograph that:
is taken against a plain cream or plain background
is printed to a high quality standard
is produced by a booth or studio
is clear and in sharp focus
was taken within the last month
is in colour on plain white photographic paper
Once you have completed the pre-application checks, you will be asked to submit and pay for your application.
You will need to provide:
your DBS update service reference number
a copy of your DBS certificate
a copy of your safeguarding training certificate
a copy of your driving and skills assessment certificate
a copy of your completed medical form
your National Insurance number
a copy of your competency and compliance test pass
a passport style photograph
Please note: If any documents required for your application are missing at the point of submission, this will have an impact on the speed at which your application is processed.
Once you have applied, you will also be required to attend an in person appointment to have your Right to Work in the UK checked. For further information, see the right to work checks webpage.
Applications are processed within the following timescales:
Validation of application received, 3 working days
Determining grant, 10 working days
Issuing after grant, 7 working days
Total time, 17 to 25 working days
If granted, you will receive a declaration to sign.
Once you have completed the pre-application checks, you will be asked to submit and pay for your application.
You will need to provide:
your DBS update service reference number
a copy of your DBS certificate
a copy of your safeguarding training certificate
a copy of your driving and skills assessment certificate
a copy of your completed medical form
a copy of your competency and compliance test pass
a passport style photograph
Please note: If any documents required for your application are missing at the point of submission, this will have an impact on the speed at which your application is processed.
Once you have applied, you will also be required to attend an in person appointment to have your Right to Work in the UK checked. For further information, see the right to work checks webpage.
Applications are processed within the following timescales:
Validation of application received, 3 working days
Determining grant, 10 working days
Issuing after grant, 7 working days
Total time, 17 to 25 working days
If granted, you will receive a declaration to sign.