Apply for a dual driver or a private hire driver's licence
We issue either a single dual licence for drivers, which allows them to drive either a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle, or a private hire driver’s licence to drive only private hire vehicles.
Applicants must have held a valid driving licence for a minimum period of 12 months. Before a driver licence can be issued the following checks will be carried out to determine if you are a 'fit and proper' person to be issued with a licence:
- group 2 medical - with your GP or with Occupational Health
- two character references
- practical driving assessment
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- West Berkshire Council Knowledge Test
- proof of eligibility to work in the UK
- safeguarding training - see below
- disability training - see below
IMPORTANT CHANGES WHEN APPLYING FOR YOUR DBS (Disclosure and Barring Certificate)
We have enlisted the company Taxiplus to complete the DBS online checks on behalf of PPP. Taxiplus will be paid directly by you when you apply online. Please ensure that you also register for the updating service, you will be reminded to do so by Taxiplus as this is now a requirement.
Please use the link below, you will need your passport, driving licence and a method of payment at the time of application.
Please select the Council you are licensed with or applying to.
Any queries please contact Taxiplus. You can access the ‘Driver Help’ section of their website which has a few useful tabs – you can also live chat with Taxiplus Driver Support. The chat can be found here: https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/im-a-driver. Here is a link to one of the most helpful guides, ‘ID Guidance’ https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/oidv-guide.
Identity
Three forms of identity (ID), (one has to be photo ID), must be brought in with your completed driver application form. Required documentation detailed below:
• DVLA driving licence – full driving licence – card or paper version
• your driving licence information which has replaced the counterpart driving licence (this must be printed out from here)
• proof of address (such as a bank statement or a utility bill less than three months old)
• proof of eligibility to work in the UK – passport or UK birth certificate
• one photograph or
• certificate of good conduct from your embassy (if necessary).
Documents
Note all documents must be presented in person and no copies of documents will be accepted. Once you have submitted your application we will advise how to book the disability and safeguarding training. Please call 01635 519184 to arrange an appointment to bring in your documents.
Payment
Legislation
Gov.UK Driving licences for taxis and private hire vehicles
Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Act 1976
Training Requirements
Safeguarding Training
As a requirement to your licence, it is mandatory to have Safeguarding training in place, you are required to renew your training every three years.
Safeguarding training will now be offered both in-house and on-line, to book a place on the training, please contact Licensing confirming what date you would like to book. Please see below the dates currently available.
Thursday 27th February 10-1 Online – limited places available
Thursday 6th March, 10-1 Shaw House
Thursday 27th March 10-1 Online
Thursday 3rd April, 10-1 Bracknell
Thursday 24th April 10-1 Online
Thursday 1st May, 10-1 Shaw House
Thursday 22nd May 10-1 Online
Thursday 5th June, 10-1 Bracknell
Thursday 26th June 10-1 Online
Thursday 3rd July, 10-1 Shaw House
Thursday 24th July 10-1 Online
Please contact licensing@bracknell-forest.gov.uk to book on to a course.
Disability Awareness Training
As a requirement to your licence, it is mandatory to have Disability Awareness training in place, you are required to renew your training every three years.
