Information For Taxi Drivers

Contents

Hackney and Private Hire Policy 2025-2030
Applying for a New Combined Hackney/Private Hire Licence
Applying to Renew your Current Combined Hackney/Private Hire Licence
HMRC Requirements
English Requirement
Check you can apply
Renew a Combined Driver's Licence
Tacit Authority
Documents

Hackney and Private Hire Policy 2025-2030

Following the Council meeting on the 27 November 2025 the Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Policy 2025 to 2030 has now been approved. Details can be located at Council and Democracy - Rushcliffe Borough Council. As the policy makes changes to the application process we are working on implementing these and you may find that you will need to do things slightly differently when applying for a drivers badge or a vehicle plate, please read this page carefully if you are applying for a new driver's badge or renewing.

What is the process to become a taxi driver?

Please also note that Uber do not currently hold a private hire operator's licence with Rushcliffe Borough Council and therefore you cannot register with Rushcliffe Borough Council if you intend to drive for Uber.

You must meet the 'Fit and Proper test' in all respects and at all times

You should be aware that the Council considers that licensed drivers are in a position of trust, and therefore the Council must ensure that applicants / licence holders are, and remain, "fit and proper" to hold a licence. In order to assess the suitability of an applicant (and to inform decision makers when answering the question above), the Licensing Authority will undertake whatever checks (includes the NAFN NR3S (national database on revocations, refusals or suspensions), and apply whatever processes it considers necessary to ensure that licences are not issued to, or used by, unsuitable persons. An individual will not be considered fit and proper to hold a licence if there is any evidence of dishonesty, and/or it can be shown that an applicant or existing licence holder has misled, or attempted to mislead, the Council. this is further set out in our policy, the link is in the related documents below. For example if you have a poor driving record you may not be eligible.

You should be aware of the following before applying which is part of the 'fit and proper' test:

HMRC requirements for taxi drivers, private hire drivers or operator applications

You will not be able to receive a licence if you do not meet these new rules.

An individual, company or any type of partnership applying for a licence for a:

taxi driver
private hire driver
private hire vehicle operator

and you are

renewing a licence
applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that stopped being valid less than a year ago
applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority

you will need a HMRC share code.

if you have:

never held a licence of the same type before
had a licence of the same type that stopped being valid a year or more before making this application

a tax share code is not required for a new application but will be required for a renewal application.

Review the HMRC rules here for taxi, private hire and operator licence applications.

Driver English requirement

Following the Department of Transport's issuing of the Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards, from the 1 April 2023 all applicants for the granting of a new, or the renewal of a Rushcliffe Borough Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver licence, will be required to pass the Council's approved proficiency test for spoken English, or alternatively provide proof of their exemption for the requirement, eg evidence of passing an equivalent English test with another Licensing Authority or possessing a relevant educational qualification.

In order to complete the “Spoken English Test” you will require to have access to the internet via a video capable smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, also your own individual email address (Group or Company email addresses will not be accepted). Currently a fee of £52 is required in order to access the test website which can be booked by contacting the Licensing Section at licensing@rushcliffe.gov.uk or by calling 0115 981 9911. Instructions on how to take the test will then be sent to your given email address.

If you have any questions regarding the taking of the “Spoken English Test” please contact licensing@rushcliffe.gov.uk or call 0115 981 9911.

Check if you should/can apply now; download the Application check list before applying.

The fees for the application element to become a driver are set out on our fees page.

This will speed up the application process for those that have all the necessary documents and approvals in place. Please use the check list below to ensure you have the necessary documents and approvals before applying and paying. If after applying and 3 months elapses you have not provided the necessary information you may be refused your licence as not being 'fit and proper' and in such cases no refund is available. As such please use the check list prior to applying. If you are unsure about a 3 years drivers licence, consider the 1 year licence. Again no refund is available if you wish withdraw your application or you wish to stop being a driver in future when applying for a 3 year licence.

Check your can apply now

Check you can apply, download this Application check list and check you have all that is needed?

The check list shows the following list for you to print and check off.

You must produce the following in any order during the three month period:

Full UK drivers Licence held for at least a year.
An enhanced DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service). Use the guide to online disclosure found below in related documents.
Rushcliffe Borough Council Knowledge Test. A computerised test (maximum of 3 tests only) - currently £33.00 per test.
Completion of English Test certificate unless exempt (e.g. provide a copy of a UK qualification) a fee applies if required
Two current passport sized photographs.
UK passport or 9-digit immigration share code provided by the Home Office
National Insurance Number.
Medical examination with AC Medical Services Ltd, Rectory Road, Colwick, Nottingham, NG4 2DU. Contact the AC medical services on 07802 850 084/0115 6488985 or enquires@acmedical.co.uk or other medical supplier if agreed by this service prior, fees for medical examinations are payable to the practitioners. Please check related documents below.
Driving test with Nottingham City Council. To book a test, please contact via e-mail on taxi.drivingtests@nottinghamcity.gov.uk - the fee is payable to Nottingham City. Alternatively via Blue Lamp Trust through their website: Taxi Assessments |BLUE LAMP TRUST
Safeguarding Course pass. Course information is found via Blue Lamp Trust Safeguarding - online course offered by The Blue Lamp Trust.
Two utility bills to confirm address

You may also be required to supply the following information:

HMRC Tax Check Share Code for renewal applications and for new applications where the applicant holds or has previously held within the last 12 months or held a HC/PH Driver or Operator's Licence.

Your application must comply with the requirements of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2025-30 as such a poor driving record or being refused or revoked elsewhere will be assessed and may affect if we can grant a licence. As a private hire driver your will need to work for and Operator who holds a Rushcliffe Operators Licence. you will need to know who your operator is when applying.

If you are satisfied you have the above information and meet the minimum requirements click the link below to open the application process and make the payment at the end of the form: Our fees are published at fees and charges webpages.

Apply for a New Combined Driver's Licence application

The newly approved policy will allow a driver to apply for a new drivers licence using the link below without registering first.

New Application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Licence

PLEASE NOTE: The application form is not submitted or received by Rushcliffe Borough Council if the payment is not made at the time of completing the application form.

Once submitted we aim to process the application in 15 working days (3 weeks not including bank holidays).

We do use other databases for information on applicants DVLA for any convictions, (including cautions, warnings, Fixed Penalty Notices and ASBOs), as well as any motoring convictions which may be recorded against you. Any applications which have been refused for a Private Hire / Hackney licence (NAFN) and all of the authorities in Nottinghamshire collect and share information on refusals and revocation.

The registration process has been removed and any new applicant should follow the process outlined above.

You are required to declare any offence or refusal / suspension / revocation by another Authority. If you require any advice on the registration process please contact Licensing@rushcliffe.gov.uk or phone 0115 981 9911.

Renew a Combined Driver's Licence

Use these links when your current licence is still valid and you wish to renew your licence. If your licence has expired and the renewal code fails you must contact us as you may need to apply for a new Initial application above.

Down load the Application check list to check you have the required documents.

You will need your HMRC Share code to renew

To use the renewal links below you will need the renewal code from your reminder letter that has been sent to you. If you do not have your reminder letter you should contact the licencing service who can resend this to you. Tel 0115 914 8322 or email Licensing@rushcliffe.gov.uk.

Click below to open up the process to make a:

Renewal Application - Combined Hackney/Private Hire Licence

PLEASE NOTE: The application form is not submitted or received by Rushcliffe Borough Council if the payment is not made at the time of completing the application form.

PLEASE NOTE: Please ensure your renewal date is within one month of the expiry date of your current existing licence. If you apply too early the application will not proceed and an error will occur. You may however apply at a later date, but not after the expiry.

Our fees are published at fees and charges webpages.

Will Tacit authority apply?

No.

Do It Online

New Application for a Hackney carriage/Private Hire Licence

Renewal Application - Combine Hackney/Private Hire Licence

Licensing Sundries