Private hire or hackney carriage driver licence

Anyone who drives a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle must have the correct driver's licence issued by us.

There are no occasions that a person who does not hold the correct driver's licence can drive a licensed vehicle. This is because the vehicle remains licensed whether or not it is hired.

Apply for a new hackney carriage or private hire driver's licence

All applicants for a private hire or hackney carriage driver's licence must satisfy us that they are a fit and proper person to hold a licence. We do not issue dual licences, but you can apply for both private hire and hackney carriage driver's licences. Our policy requires that to apply you must:

• be over the age of 21
• have held a full UK/ EU driving licence for 3 years
• prove you have the right to work in the United Kingdom
• undertake and pass our approved, practical driving assessment for taxi/ private hire
• undertake and pass our knowledge test, which includes geographic knowledge of Chorley, our licensing policy, law, conditions and basic English assessment
• provide an enhanced DBS disclosure. This must be undertaken by a company contracted by us to provide this service. Must be within 3 months from the date of issue. Apply for DBS disclosure
• provide a DVLA Group 2 medical assessment (PDF) [7MB] , undertaken by your own GP or a registered GP who has access to your full medical records. Must be within 3 months from the date of issue
• provide a DVLA check code to enable your driving licence to be checked
• complete the application form in full. The applications are available to download below.
• pay the fee.

Any time limit on a document means from the date it was issued until the date you submit your application.

You should gather all the documents above and call 01257 515151 to book a new driver appointment with us to submit your application. 

Once your application is submitted, you will be able to book an appointment to undertake the knowledge test. You must pass this test for your application to be considered complete. 

If your application is not complete within 3 months, it will be rejected, and you will have to start again if you wish to become a licensed driver. 

All applicants should read our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy (PDF) [795KB] for full details of the application process. 

Application forms

Application for a New Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Driver Licence (PDF) [94KB]

Application to Renew a Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Driver Licence (PDF) [94KB]

Driver licence fees

National Register for Refusals and Revocations (NR3)

Following the coming into force of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022 on 27th April 2023, we will be making use of NR3. This means that any person who has a private hire or hackney carriage driver licence revoked, or an application for one refused, will have their details recorded on the register. We will consider providing the full circumstances of a decision to any other Council following a request, provided this is done so in accordance with data protection legislation. 

Before granting or renewing a driver licence, we will check the NR3. Any information which is received as a result of this check will be considered in accordance with our existing suitability policy. Further information regarding this can be found in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and our privacy notice. 

Drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles

If you want to drive a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) you must undertake and pass a DSA disabled access vehicle driver assessment. Drivers who have completed this course will have their badge endorsed with a wheelchair symbol. 

Criminal records

We have a safeguarding and suitability policy which gives guidance to applicants who have convictions. This policy sets out clearly how we will consider convictions and will only be departed from in exceptional circumstances. 

All applicants for a licence must provide a DBS disclosure before they will be licensed and every 3 years thereafter.  

Medical standards

We will only license a person if they meet the DVLA group 2 medical criteria. Your medical must be undertaken by your own GP or a doctor who has full access to your medical records. If there is anything on your report which may cause concern, we will consult our own independent medical advisor who will advise whether you meet group 2 criteria. 

Renew a private hire or hackney carriage driver's licence

The criteria to renew an existing driver's licence is largely the same as for a new applicant. The licence holder should gather the documents required and contact us on 01257 515151 to arrange a driver renewal appointment. 

Licence holders are encouraged to gather documents as early as they are able to and well in advance of the expiry of the licence. Failure to do so may result in delays to their application being processed.