Licence - Hackney Carriage Driver's Licences

Information about hackney carriage drivers licences.

How do I get a licence?

Before a licence can be issued, the Council must satisfy itself that the applicant is a 'fit and proper' person to hold a licence.

If you are applying for a licence for the first time you must:

• Have held a full British driving licence for a minimum of 2 years
• Submit a Disclosure Application form for the Criminal Records Bureau  
• Pass a written Theory test
• Pass a geographical knowledge test based on the Solihull Borough and adjoining districts
• Pass a practical driving assessment
• Pass a medical examination conducted by the Council's approved Medical Examiner
• Complete the Hackney carriage drivers licence application (attached below) 
• Pay the fee
• Once licensed, you must complete an NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving within the first year of holding the licence.

Certain criminal convictions and motoring offences will necessitate the application being placed before the Licensing Sub Committee for a decision to be made as to the suitability of the applicant.  This may mean a delay in the processing of the application.

Existing Private Hire Driver's currently licensed by the Council are granted certain concessions in the application process, please check with the Licensing office.

To apply for your licence: 

• Complete the application form in full and return it in person to Solihull Connect together with your proof of enrolment at Solihull College, your DVLA driving licence, 2 passport size photographs, fully completed Disclosure Application form and required identification, medical certificate and fees
• You will then be given a date for your theory test.  Once you have passed the theory test, you will be given a date for a practical driving assessment.  You will then be required to provide proof of your third party motor insurance cover in respect of the vehicle to used.
• You must also complete a Hackney Carriage Knowledge Test, which you can book by going to Solihull Connect and paying the required fee.
• Once all tests and assessments have been satisfactorily completed and all fees paid, a licence can be granted.
• You will then be required to make arrangements to complete the NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving which must be completed by the expiry date on your badge.  The first 2 days of tutorials must be completed within the first 2 months of being licensed, and you must have completed the entire NVQ, and be able to produce the certificate to us by the time your lcience is due for renewal.   
• The licence will normally be issued for 12 months and must be renewed prior to its expiry

How do I arrange my medical?

Your own GP is required to complete a short questionnaire giving some details about your medical background and general health.  He may make a charge for this service.  Once you have this form completed, you may then make an appointment with the Council's approved Medical Examiner:

Dr Richard Harrower
2134 Coventry Road
Sheldon
Birmingham
B26 3JS
Telephone: 0121 743 2157

If you pass, you will be issued with a Certificate, which must be handed in to the Licensing office or Solihull Connect straight away.  The certificate will usually last for 3 years, except in the case of applicants over the age of 60 when an annual medical is required.

How do I submit a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure application?

The Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Form can be completed at the Connect Offices on production of the suitable identification or alternatively it can be sent out in the post. To request a form please contact Licensing (see contact details below)

Completed Forms should be returned in person with the appropriate identification listed below to Solihull Connect, Ground Floor, Library & Arts Complex, Library Square, Solihull Town Centre

Complete section A to H of the application form in full and in black ink. Read the form carefully before you begin and ensure you give all details as required, leaving spaces between words but not between postcodes or telephone numbers. Any errors or omissions will mean a delay in the processing of the application.

You will be required to provide identification as follows:

Either your full passport or a photocard driving licence (complete with paper part), and as many as of the following documents as possible:

• Birth certificate
• P45/P60
• Marriage certificate
• paper driving licence

You will also need to provide proof of your address so you will need to bring 2 recent bank/credit card statements, utility bills or other such items.

Only original documents are acceptable and will be returned to you immediately after checking.  There is a fee for the processing of this application. 

What is involved in the geographical knowledge test?

The test is designed to demonstrate the candidate's in-depth knowledge of Solihull and adjoining districts.  An information folder must be purchased and the first test must be taken within 6 months of the date of purchase.  The folders are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

Questions are based on:

• Legal questions
• Two-Point locations
• Cross-borough routes

You will be asked 110 questions in total. You must correctly answer all legal questions and in the remaining two sections you must achieve a combined score of at least 90%. If you fail to correctly answer any of your legal questions you will fail the test, regardless of your other score.

A fee is payable on each occasion a Knowledge Test is taken.  If the appointment is not kept the fee is non-refundable, unless at least 48 hours notice is given. 

All drivers must:

• Report any convictions (motoring or otherwise) to the licensing office within 7 days, including fixed Penalty fines.
• Report a change of address in writing to the Licensing office.
• Report details of an accident to the licensing office within 72 hours
• Wear your badge at all times when working.  The badge remains the property of the Council and must be surrendered to an authorised officer on request.
• Guide dogs and Assistance dogs must be carried unless an exemption on medical grounds has been obtained from the doctor.

Renewing the licence

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the badge is renewed on time.  Reminders are sent out approximately 4 to 6 weeks prior to expiry and the licence will be renewed providing everything is in order.  Do not let the licence expire - if you do so you will have to make a fresh application and start the process again.  Although reminders are sent from the Licensing office, the onus is on the driver to be aware of the expiry date of his/her licence and renew in plenty of time.

To renew your licence you must bring the following into Solihull Connect

• Driving Licence (both parts if it is a card licence)
• 2 photographs
• Old Badge

Application form, which can be downloaded below

Can I licence a Hackney Carriage vehicle?

A new Hackney Carriage Licence plate can only be issued when a brand new Hackney Carriage Vehicle is purchased. The vehicle must have delivery mileage only, and must be inspected by a Licensing Officer before the licence can be issued.

General Information

Any Hackney Carriage vehicle that you use, once your driver's licence has been granted and your badge issued, should comply with the following conditions:

• Plates must be displayed in the manner prescribed by the Council
• Proof of continuing Public Hire insurance
• Current fare table displayed in a prominent position visible to passengers
• Meter calibrated and sealed correctly
• Be maintained to high standard of appearance