Private Hire Driver Licence

A licence is required before any person can drive a licensed private hire vehicle.

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

A Register of all Private Hire Drivers is available for inspection by appointment only at SMBC Central Depot, Moat Lane, Solihull, B91 2LW.  (This cannot be removed from the Central Depot due to Data Protection legislation).  Please contact 0121 704 6830 to arrange an appointment.

How to apply for a licence

This information will help guide you through the application process for a Private Hire licence.

Can I apply for a licence?

• You must have held a full UK driving licence for at least 2 years
• You must have no unspent criminal convictions
• You must be eligible to work in the UK
  

How do I apply for a licence?

Before submitting an application, you must have completed the following:

• Medical with the Council’s approved Doctor (Coventry Road Medical Practice)
• Disability Awareness Training (Solihull College)
• Driving Assessment with the DSA (Driving Standards Agency)

To apply, you must attend the Licensing Office, Central Depot, Moat Lane with the following:

• Pass certificate from the DSA (must be less than 1 years old)
• Medical Certificate from Approved Doctor (less than 1 month old)
• Attendance certificate for Disability Awareness Training (less than 3 months old)
• Completed application form
• Completed CRB form
• Driving Licence (both parts if it’s a photocard licence)
• Passport (if you currently have one)
• 2 proofs of address (e.g. bank statement, utility bill)
• Non refundable application charge

Applications will not be accepted unless you have all of the documents and the application charge.

You must make sure you complete the application form correctly and declare all convictions, endorsements and cautions as required.  Failure to do so may result in the refusal of your application.

What happens once I have made an application?

• We will take your photograph
• You will be given a date for the 1/2 Day Induction Course
• We will process your CRB form
• You must have completed the application process within 3 months (unless there are exceptional circumstances), otherwise it will be cancelled.  The application charge is non-refundable

When will my licence be granted?

• You must pass the 1/2 day Induction Course.
• Your CRB disclosure must have been received and any issues dealt with.  If you have falsely declared or omitted any information on   your application form, it is likely that your application will be rejected.
• Your IDS check (to check your driving licence) must have been received
• You must then pay the Licence fee.
• Your licence will normally be granted for 3 years. If you have a 1 year medical then your licence will also normally be valid for 1 year.

About the 1/2 day induction course & written test

You will be given more information about the 1/2 day induction course when you have made an application.

How much will it cost?

The cost of the 1/2 day Induction Course and test is included in your application charge.  If you fail and want to take the test again, you will be charged a re-test fee.

What’s involved in the course?

The course consists of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes of classroom based study and will cover the following:

• Legislation & Local Conditions
• Basic Geographical Knowledge
• Highway Code
• Communication Skills
• Driver Safety & Awareness

About the test

After the course, you will then sit a 60 minute written test.

There are 44 questions.  You must get 40 questions correct to pass

The test is split into 4 sections:

• Communication Skills & Customer Service – 3 questions
• Highway Code – 12 questions
• Basic Geographical Knowledge – 6 questions
• Legislation & Local Conditions – 23 questions

How do I find out my result?

Your result will be sent to you by text message so you must make sure we have your correct mobile telephone number.

What if I fail the test?

If you fail the test, you can re-take it one more time.  A re-test fee will be charged.  If you fail twice your application will be cancelled and you will not be able to re-apply for 6 months.

About the DSA driving assessment

There are two different types of test – One for Private Hire applicants and one for Hackney Carriage.  You must ensure that you complete the correct test depending upon which licence you are applying for.

Where Do I Go For My Driving Assessment?

Not all DSA Test Centres offer the Taxi and Private Hire Assessment.  The closest Test Centres offering the Assessment are:

Private Hire only
401 Stratford Road
Shirley     
B90 4AA        

Private Hire & Hackney Carriage
Clay Lane
South Yardley
B26 1EA

A full list of all DSA Test Centres offering the Taxi and Private Hire Assessment can be found on the Department for Transport’s website at www.dft.gov.uk/dsa

How Do I Book an Assessment?

• To book an assessment call 0300 200 1122 and ask to book either a Private Hire or a Hackney Carriage Taxi Assessment.
• You can also book on line.  Visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/ Go to the motoring section, click on the ‘Becoming a Taxi or Private Hire Driver’ link.  This will provide you with all the information you need about the test, including how to book online.
• You must have your DVLA Driving Licence handy at the time of booking, and you must also pay the fee.

What if I need to cancel or re-schedule my appointment?

You must telephone the DSA direct to discuss any alterations to your booking.  You must give at least 3 full working days notice if you need to cancel or re-schedule or you will lose your fee.

What if I fail the assessment?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the test, however you will have to pay the fee each time you make a booking.

What do I Do with the certificate?

Keep your pass certificate safe as you must present this to the Licensing Office when you make your application for a Licence.

About the Disability Awareness Training

Course Content

The Disability Awareness Training has been designed by Solihull College in conjunction with Solihull MBC and is specifically aimed at taxi drivers.  The training includes: -

• Finding out what a disability is
• Understanding our legal obligations
• Developing practical guidelines for interacting with disabled people including the language we use and our attitudes to disability and disabled people

Length of Course

The course consists of 3 hours classroom based study.

Cost

The cost is £30.00 per person which includes all course materials and a certificate of attendance.

How do I Book a place?

Please contact Rebecca Wilks on 0121 678 7181 or via email on Rebecca.wilks@solihull.ac.uk to register, you will then receive a letter confirming course dates, time and payment instructions.

How do I book a medical?

First of all, get your own GP to complete the ‘Medical History Form’ which is in this pack (they may make a charge for this)

• Then make a medical appointment with the Council’s approved doctor.

What do I need to take with me to the appointment?

• The Medical History Form
• Your own glasses or contact lenses if you wear them
• Details of any prescription drugs you are taking
• You will be asked to provide a urine specimen
• You may be required to agree to a drugs test

How long will my medical be valid for?

• Your medical will normally be valid for 3 years, however if you are over 60 or have certain medical conditions, it will normally be valid for 1 year or less
• Any change in circumstances regarding your health, may have implications on your licence and in some circumstances, may require an additional medical examination

What happens if I fail my medical?

• You will not be able to apply for a licence with this Authority until you have successfully completed the medical

What do I do with my medical certificate?

• You must keep your medical certificate safe and you must hand it in to the Licensing Office when you apply for your licence.

The address of the Council’s approved Doctor is:  

Coventry Road Medical Practice
2314 Coventry Road
Sheldon
Birmingham
B26 3JS Tel: 0121 743 2154

Where do I hand in my application?

The Licensing Department is located at:

SMBC Central Depot - Block A,
Moat Lane,
Solihull,
B91 2LW
Tel: 0121 704 6830
Fax: 0121 704 6888

Office opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 09:30am - 4.30pm and Wednesday 10:30am - 4.30pm.

As you drive through the entrance to the Central Depot, park in one of the spaces marked ‘Licensing’ and make your way to reception which is through the blue gate to the left. If there are no free ‘Licensing Spaces’ you must use the visitor car park across the road from the Central Depot and walk over to reception. The reception is unmanned so dial the number shown on the wall to notify the Licensing Department that you have arrived and then wait to be collected. For health and safety reasons, children should not be brought on site at the depot.

What if I have a criminal conviction?

Before an application can be accepted, you must have no un-spent criminal convictions in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.   If you have ever had a criminal conviction, check on the table below to see if it has become ‘spent’ The rehabilitation period depends on how long you were sentenced for, NOT how long you actually served.   This list only shows the most common sentences.  If you are unsure about your sentence then seek advice from the Licensing Department.   If you have any unspent convictions, you must discuss these with a Licensing Officer before you make an application. You must declare all convictions on your application form.  

Sentence	Rehabilitation Period (from date of conviction)
Life Imprisonment	None
30 months or more in prison or youth custody	None
6 – 30 months in prison or youth custody	10 years
Up to 6 months in prison or youth custody	7 years
A Fine	5 years
Community Service	5 years
Conditional discharge, bind over or probation	1 year

Fees and charges

The preferred methods of payment are card or cheque.   The Licensing Department at the Central Depot is unable to accept cash.

• If you are unable to pay by card or cheque then you can pay cash at Solihull Connect (located in Solihull Library) or Chelmsley Wood Connect (located in Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre).
• Do not attempt to make payment until you have attended the Licensing Office at the Central Depot and have been instructed to do so by a member of the Licensing Team.

Application Charge	£94
Criminal Records Enhanced Disclosure	£54.80
Medical	£55 (charged by Doctor)
Disability Awareness Training	£30 (charged by college)
DSA Driving Assessment	£79.66 Private Hire
1/2 Day Induction Course Re-test	£59
3 Year Licence Fee	£289 (to be paid when licence is granted).  A pro rata fee will be charged for a licence granted for less than 3 years.