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Hackney carriage and private hire drivers' licences

To apply for a taxi driver's licence, you must have held a full Driving Standards Agency (DSA) driving licence for a minimum period of 12 months.

You can apply at any time of year, however, there is no reduction for licences issued part way through the year.

Applications normally take 6 to 8 weeks to process, depending on:

See further information about current taxi licence fees and charges.

Taxi drivers' licence application process

If you're a new taxi driver and wish to apply for your taxi driver's licence, you should:

Medical Examination Report Form

Applicants must submit a medical certificate on the approved Group II Medical Examination Report Form issued by the council, which must be completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner:

Please note: this file is intended to be printed and taken to your GP, and so it may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. If required you can request a copy in an accessible format.

During your appointment with our Taxi Licensing Team, you'll need to:

  • submit your DSA pass certificate and taxi driver's licence application form together
  • present your original driving licence (not a copy)
  • provide 2 recent passport photos
  • complete a DBS 'disclosure form'
  • provide identity documents (we'll tell you which are acceptable when you arrange your appointment)
  • pay the DBS disclosure form fee (by bank card)

How we process your application

We require time to process and consider your application before it can be granted.

In this case:

  • you can't assume permission will be given
  • we'll contact you within 28 days to acknowledge receipt of your application

You can't act as if your application has been granted if we don't respond within expected timeframes.

If you haven't heard from us within 28 days, please contact us to check the status of your application.

Taxi drivers' safeguarding and knowledge training

As part of the application process, you'll need to attend a training day, designed to help applicants in their new role as a licensed driver. The training day ends with a written test on the topics covered as well as routes in York, locations and places of interest.

Preparing for your taxi knowledge course

We strongly recommend the taxi knowledge course for anyone wishing to apply to become a taxi driver in York.

It's not compulsory, but is designed to help you:

  • understand the requirements of being a taxi driver in York
  • prepare for your Knowledge and Safeguarding test
  • familiarise yourself with pedestrian zones and routes around York

Book a place and confirm fees by contacting our Work Development Unit (WDU):

Download the following documents to help you prepare for your test:

Further training information is also available within our taxi driver application guidance notes.

Taxi drivers' medical exams

You'll be required to undertake a medical to DVLA Group 2 medical standard.

Applicants must submit a medical certificate on the approved Group II Medical Examination Report Form.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

You will be given information regarding how to complete the DBS application upon making your appointment with Taxi Licensing. The level of DBS check required to become a taxi driver is an enhanced DBS check and this can only be completed through a registered body such as the council.

For current DBS check fees, see other taxi licensing fees and charges.

Taxi licence renewals

Taxi driver licences are renewed annually:

  • 'hackney carriage' licences are reviewed on 1 June
  • 'private hire' licences are reviewed on 1 November

Find out more about renewal of hackney carriage and private hire drivers' licences.

Also see

Taxi Licensing Team

Eco Depot, Hazel Court, York, YO10 3DS

Telephone: 01904 552422