Apply for a Hackney carriage drivers licence

Licensing Services

The Licensing Team is currently experiencing exceptionally high demand for appointments. If you are renewing your licence, please ensure that you email us for an appointment at least one month before your expiry date.

Licensing Services

Our Licensing service is at Solihull Connect at The Core.

The Core
Theatre Square
Homer Road
Solihull
B91 3RG

Before your visit, please email us at licensing@solihull.gov.uk to book an appointment.

We are unable to serve customers who do not have an appointment.

To apply download an application for a hackney carriage drivers licence.

You must email your completed application form and supporting documents to licensing@solihull.gov.uk.

We will then contact you to arrange for you to attend in person by appointment only.

Please note that children are not allowed at the depot.

Please remember to bring a recent passport photograph with you.

You must have completed the application process within 3 months (unless there are exceptional circumstances), otherwise it will be cancelled.

Disclosure and barring service (DBS) disclosure

Before attending the licensing office to submit a new application or renew your badge, you must submit an online DBS disclosure.

One you have selected form:

• enter LICTEA within the 'Organisation Reference' box
• leave the 'Organisation code' box blank

Follow all the steps, and at the end of the process, make a note of the reference number you are given. When you come in to renew your badge, bring the reference number with you along with supporting documents. These should be your passport if you have one, photocard driving licence, and at least 2 of the following:

• Recent bank statement
• credit card statement dated within 3 months
• utility bills ( for example, gas, electric or water) also dated within 3 months
• a recent Council Tax statement.

We no longer accept paper disclosure application forms.

Your driving licence

While we no longer need the paper counterpart of your DVLA driving licence, we still need to check your entitlement to drive and whether you have any motoring convictions.

You must obtain a check code from the DVLA website which allows us to check the status of your driving licence.

We've prepared instructions on how to obtain a check code.

Suitability Assessment

The information in the Suitability Assessment Guide is intended to assist you with preparing for the Suitability Assessment but should also be used as a reference guide for if you are successfully granted a licence.  The advice and guidance provided is by no means an exhaustive list and we make regular updates to our procedures and requirements so please check our website on a regular basis and read any documentation that we send you.

Once you have submitted your application you will be invited to attend a Suitability Assessment.

The assessment will involve a mix of verbal, written and multiple choice questions on the following subjects:

• highway code
• vehicle and driver conditions
• customer service
• enforcement
• driver safety
• taxi specific laws and regulations
• how to licence a vehicle
• vehicle maintenance
• after you have been granted a licence

If you fail the test, you can re-take it and a re-test fee will be charged.

Suitability Assessment Guide