Licence - Private Hire Driver's Licences

Information about Private Hire Driver’s Licences.

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

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 practical driving assessment
• Pass a medical examination conducted by the Council's approved Medical Examiner
• Complete the relevant application forms
• Pay the required fees
• 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. This may mean a delay in the processing of the application.

To apply for your licence:

• Complete the application form in full and return it in person to Solihull Connect together with your DVLA driving licence, both parts if it is a card 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, and your disclosure has been returned from the CRB. 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 be used.
• 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. This questionnaire can be downloaded below (Medical Questionnaire). He may make a charge for this service. Once you have this you may then make an appointment with the Council's approved Medical Examiner:

Dr Richard Harrower
2314 Coventry Road
Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3JS

Telephone: 0121 743 2154

If you pass you will be issued a Certificate, which must be handed in to the Licensing office or Solihull Connect straight away. Applicants aged 60 and over will be required to take a medical every year.

Applicants may be asked to submit to a drugs test.

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. 

How do I renew my Private Hire Driver’s Licence?

Private Hire Driver’s Licences must be renewed prior to their expiry date. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the licence is renewed on time. If you allow your badge to expire, you will have to make a fresh application and go through the vetting procedure again.

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