Your appointment

What will happen at your appointment with the Licensing team.

Identity checks and logging your application

We will check all your documents and use a range of online portals to confirm your details and identity. 

Your personal details (name, address, date of birth etc.) on all your documents must match, and if there are any inconsistencies or queries, we may reject or pause your application and ask you further questions.

We will input your application onto our system and scan your documents to attach to your record.

Check of the National Register for Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S)

We have a legal duty to search the NR3S register before issuing any hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence. 

If you have previously had a hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence refused, suspended or revoked, it will show as a ‘record’ on the register, and we will make further enquiries.

Enquiries with other licensing authorities

If you have ever held a hackney carriage or private hire licence with another authority, we will make data protection enquiries with them. 

Knowledge test (Hackney Carriage applicants only)

You will be required to buy a link to an online ‘knowledge folder’ which contains several two-point locations and routes around the Solihull borough and nearby area. This will help you revise for the test, which will be conducted in person by an officer. 

The test will consist of 50 two-point locations and 20 routes. You must get 90% correct on both elements to pass the test. You must pass the test within 12 months of submitting your application and will be allowed to take the test up to three times.

There is a fee for each test taken.

You can book an appointment for the test by emailing licensing@solihull.gov.uk. 

Payment

You will be required to pay an application fee that covers all the processing, initial checks and enquiries.

We only accept payment by credit or debit card. We do not accept cash or cheques.