To drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle you must hold the appropriate driver licence.

All applicants must demonstrate that they are ‘fit and proper’ and meet the high standards required of someone who is responsible for transporting members of the public.

Before you apply, you must read through our new driver guidance document. This outlines exactly what you need to do and how.

Eligibility

To be able to apply for a licence you must:

• be at least 21 years old
• be able to speak English
• have proof of right to live and work in the UK
• have a valid UK driving licence (Group B entitlement for more than 12 months)
• hold a Level 2 certificate ‘Introduction to the role of professional private hire and taxi driver’ issued by Brockenhurst College, Poole and Bournemouth College or Value Training
• have obtained an Enhanced DBS Certificate for ‘Taxi Driver – Other Workforce’ registered with the DBS update service

Apply for an Enhanced DBS and update service sign up

All Enhanced DBS applications must be made by using the TaxiPlus service.

You can read more about the application process, the DBS Update Service, or how to get your identity verified. 

How to apply

Once you have read our new driver guidance document. and have gathered all the necessary supporting documents you can then complete our online application.

The application process is in four stages, and you are required to complete each stage before moving to the next. We will not accept any documents required at stage three that are dated prior to the application being submitted.

Once you have completed the online form you will be contacted by us to complete the stage two in the application process as detailed in the guidance.

Once you have submitted your application all the submitted documentation will then have to be checked to ensure they meet our requirements.

Once this has been completed, you will then be notified that you can proceed to stage two, that is the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole driver knowledge test. 

You will then be required to sit a knowledge test. We have made a knowledge test guidance document to help drivers with the requirements of the test.

Cost

Visit our Taxi and private hire fees page for cost information.