How do I become a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Driver?
Before applying, please read all the information below carefully. All application fees and any costs incurred during the process are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of your application.
Bradford Council has a responsibility for making sure that all drivers of Private Hire or Hackney Carriage vehicles are fit and proper persons to hold such licences. There are several different checks that are undertaken during the application process that help us to make this decision.
Stage 1: Check you meet the eligibility requirements
Before submitting an application, you must ensure that you meet the following criteria:
- You have the right to work in the UK. You will be asked to provide either:
- A British or Irish passport, or
- A Right to Work Share Code via a secure link.
- You are 18 years of age or older.
- You have held a full UK driving licence for at least 12 months.
- If you have held a UK driving licence for less than 3 years, you must provide a Pass Plus Certificate before your application can be processed.
- You have a basic understanding of spoken and written English. This will be assessed during your video interview with a Licensing Officer.
- You meet Bradford Council's Driver Suitability Policy criteria.
- If you have any current or previous convictions, cautions, warnings, or penalty points, you must declare these on your application. Before applying, please read the Driver Suitability Policy carefully to understand how they may impact the outcome of your application.
If you meet all the above requirements, you can proceed to the next stage.
Stage 2: Submit your supporting documents
Once your application has been received, you will be emailed a secure link to upload the required documents. Applications are processed in date order, so there may be a delay before documents are requested.
Important
- The name and address shown on all documents must match exactly.
- If you use a middle name or additional names, these must appear consistently on all documents.
- Documents with incorrect, incomplete, or misspelt names or addresses cannot be accepted.
- All requested documents must be submitted within 6 months of being requested. Failure to do so may result in your application being cancelled.
Required documents
1. Medical Report Form
You must provide a completed Medical Report Form (PDF) to confirm that you are medically fit to undertake the role.
The form must:
- Be completed by a registered GP with full access to your medical records.
- Be completed in full.
- Be dated within the last 6 months.
- Include your GP's details.
When uploading your form, please ensure the pages are in the correct order.
2. Badge Photograph
Submit a clear photograph of your head and shoulders:
- Taken against a plain background.
- In a well-lit area.
- Suitable for use on your driver's badge.
3. Evidence of Right to Work
We accept:
Instructions on obtaining a Share Code will be included in the document request email.
Please note:
- We cannot accept a Biometric Residence Permit or Visa as evidence.
- We cannot issue a licence beyond the expiry date of your right to work permission.
4. UK Driving Licence
Provide a photograph of the front of your driving licence.
Please ensure:
- Your name is spelt correctly.
- Your address is up to date.
- All details are clearly visible.
5. DVLA Check Code
A DVLA check code is required so we can review your driving record.
Instructions on obtaining a check code will be sent when required.
Please note:
- Codes are time-sensitive and can only be used once.
- We recommend generating the code only after we request it.
- Please provide a screenshot of the code.
6. Driving Standards Assessment (DSA) Certificate
The Driving Standards Assessment helps confirm that you are a safe and responsible driver. A list of approved assessors is available on our approved assessors page.
7. Enhanced DBS Certificate
You must complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please visit our DBS Information page for further details and instructions.
8. Pass Plus Certificate (if applicable)
If you have held your driving licence for less than 3 years, you must provide a Pass Plus Certificate before your application can proceed.
Further information on Pass Plus.
What happens next?
Once all required documents have been received and accepted, you will receive an email confirming the next steps.
If additional information is required, we will contact you by email.
Stage 3: Complete the required online training
You will receive an email from our training provider, OpenElms, containing links to complete:
- Driver Modular Training
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Safeguarding Training
Further information is available on our Driver Training page.
Important
You must complete this stage within 30 days of being invited to do so. Failure to progress your application within this timeframe may result in cancellation.
Stage 4: Application review and interview
Due to high application volumes, there may be a delay before your application is assigned to a Licensing Officer.
Once assigned, your documents will be reviewed and you will be invited to attend a Microsoft Teams video interview.
During the interview, we will assess:
- Your overall suitability to hold a driver's licence.
- Your English language ability.
- Your understanding of the online training modules.
If your application includes current or previous convictions, cautions, warnings, or penalty points requiring further review, this will be discussed with you.
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the licensing process.
Additional requirements
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be asked to:
- Provide an operator letter.
- Complete Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) training.
- Provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Important
You must continue progressing your application within 3 months of reaching this stage. Failure to do so may result in cancellation.
Stage 5: Licence issue
Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email containing a link to pay the licence fee.
After payment has been received:
- Your driver's badge will be issued.
- Your paper licence will be issued.
You may begin working once you have received your badge.
Your badge must be worn visibly on your outer clothing whenever you are working as a licensed driver.
Important
You must complete this final stage within 30 days, otherwise your application may be cancelled.
How to apply
There is a non-refundable application fee of £30.
The licence fee is payable only when your licence is ready to be issued:
- £81 for a 1-year licence
- £199 for a 3-year licence
Please ensure you select the correct licence type and duration when applying, as changes cannot be made after submission.
Apply online
To apply for a Private Hire Licence please click the link below
Apply for a Private Hire Driver Licence
To apply for a Hackney Carriage Licence (white town taxis) please click the link below
Apply for a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence
How long does the process take?
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide specific processing times. There may be waiting periods at each stage of the application process.
Contact us
If you need to contact the licensing service, please email: taxi.testing@bradford.gov.uk.
Please include your full name and contact number.
For GDPR and security reasons, you must contact us using the same email address used on your application. We cannot discuss applications via unregistered email addresses.