Medical standards for hackney carriage or private hire drivers are higher than those for ordinary car drivers. In line with recommended good practice, we will expect licensed drivers to meet the medical Group 2 bus and lorry driver standards, in accordance with the most recent DVLA assessing fitness to drive guide for medical practitioners.

The medical examination report must be completed by all new applicants for hackney carriage or private hire driver licences. Existing licensed drivers must also submit a report at ages 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 and annually thereafter, in accordance with DVLA best practice guidelines and our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy.

How to complete a report

New drivers

A medical report must be completed by a GP at the practice you're registered with.

You must provide photo identification (driving licence or passport) to the GP to confirm your identity, a copy of the medical report for completion and pay any fee.

If a GP who is not at the practice you are registered with completes the report, your application will be rejected.

Existing drivers

A medical report must be completed by a GP at the practice you're registered with or by our approved medical provider.

You must provide photo identification (driving licence or passport) to the GP to confirm your identity, a copy of the medical report for completion and pay any fee.

The examining practitioner is required to have full access to your medical records or in the case of our approved provider, access to your medical summary. To obtain a medical summary, you will need to request a copy directly from your GP practice. Make sure you allow enough time to receive this.

If a GP who is not at the practice you are registered with completes the report, your application will be rejected.

Our approved provider is:

Nuffield Hospital
67 Lansdowne Road
Bournemouth
BH1 1RW

To make an appointment at Nuffield Hospital, call 01202 702 808.

Diabetic drivers

All licenced drivers with diabetes which is treated with insulin must ensure they meet the Group 2 testing requirements.

Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

If any licenced driver suffers a stroke or TIA, this must be reported to the Licensing Team as soon as possible and they will not be permitted to be a driver for 1 year. The licence will only be reactivated on submission of a satisfactory medical certificate including results of exercise ECG testing.

Medical exemption certificates

You must apply for a medical exemption certificate to be exempt from carrying assistance dogs or passengers in wheelchairs. This must be completed by your GP. We will not accept applications completed by the Nuffield Hospital.

Assistance dogs

All drivers of any licenced vehicle are required to carry a disabled person who is accompanied by an assistance dog.

The dog must be allowed to remain with the person and you must not charge extra.

A driver may apply for a certificate exempting them from these duties if it is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so on medical grounds.

Passengers in wheelchairs

Drivers of a designated accessible licensed vehicle are required to carry persons in a wheelchair or passenger seat and ensure that they are carried in safety and reasonable comfort. They should give the passenger as much mobility assistance as reasonably required and not charge extra.

You can only apply for a certificate exempting you from these duties if it is confirmed that it is appropriate to do so on medical grounds or that your physical condition makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult to do so.