Taxi badge eligibility checker: can you get a taxi or private hire licence?
Answer a few questions and see whether you meet the usual requirements for a taxi or private hire driver licence from any council in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. It is free, quick and takes about two minutes.
This checker gives general guidance only and is not a licensing decision. Every council sets its own rules and makes the final decision. UK Taxi College is an independent training and application-support provider, not a council or Transport for London. Always confirm requirements with your licensing authority.
How the eligibility checker works
It only takes three short steps, and you do not need to create an account or share contact details.
Choose your council
Pick the council you want to be licensed by. This is usually the area where you plan to work.
Answer simple questions
Tell us about your driving licence, right to work, driving record, background and health.
See your result
Get a clear result, the points to check and the next steps, then ask us for help if you want it.
Who can get a taxi or private hire badge?
Most people who hold a full driving licence and have a clean record can apply for a driver licence, often called a badge. Councils issue two kinds.
Taxi (hackney carriage)
A hackney carriage licence lets you work from ranks and take street hails.
Private hire
A private hire licence covers pre-booked journeys through a licensed operator.
The “fit and proper person” test
The rules differ from one council to the next, but they share a common core. You must be a fit and proper person, which means the council is satisfied you are honest, safe and suitable to carry members of the public, including children and vulnerable adults.
The checker compares your answers against typical national requirements. Where a council is known to use different figures, they can be added, which is why the result always tells you what to double-check rather than giving a final yes or no.
What councils check before issuing a badge
Each of these areas can affect your application. Knowing them in advance saves time and application fees.
Your age
Many councils expect applicants to be at least 21, although some accept drivers from 18. Check your council's policy.
Your driving licence
You normally need a full licence held for a minimum period, commonly one to three years. Provisional licences are not accepted.
Right to work
You must be legally allowed to work as a driver in the UK. Some visas, including student visas, do not allow this work.
Convictions and DBS
An Enhanced DBS check with barred lists is standard. Councils follow a convictions policy and usually consider spent convictions too.
Medical fitness
Most councils ask for a Group 2 medical, the higher DVLA standard used for professional drivers.
English and knowledge
Many councils test your English, local knowledge or both, and expect safeguarding and disability awareness training.
Why requirements differ between councils
Government guidance sets out recommended standards for taxi and private hire licensing, but each licensing authority applies them locally.
That is why one council may accept 18-year-old applicants while another asks for 21, or why the required licence-holding period ranges from one year to three.
It also explains why people choose a council carefully. A licence generally lets you work only in the area of the council that issued it, so most drivers apply where they intend to work. Before you pay any fees, read your council’s licensing policy and convictions policy, and check how long a badge lasts and what renewals cost.
Step by step: how to get your taxi or private hire badge
The order varies slightly by council, but most applications follow these six stages.
Check your eligibility
Use the checker above, then read your council’s policy for its age, licence and convictions rules.
Complete your training
Many councils require a recognised taxi and private hire qualification, plus safeguarding and disability awareness training.
Pass the required tests
Depending on the council, this may include a knowledge test, an English test or a driving assessment.
Get your DBS and medical
Apply for an Enhanced DBS check and have a Group 2 medical completed by a doctor.
Submit your application
Send your forms, documents, photos and fee. Incomplete applications are one of the main causes of delay.
Wait for the decision
The council reviews everything and decides. Processing times vary, so avoid committing to work until you hold your badge.
Is the checker right for your situation?
Your circumstances change what to look out for. Here is what usually matters most.
New drivers
If you have only just passed your driving test, the time you have held your licence is usually the first hurdle. Check your council’s minimum period.
Drivers with penalty points
A few minor points are often acceptable, but higher totals or serious endorsements can lead to refusal or a licensing committee hearing.
Drivers with convictions
Councils look at the type of offence, how long ago it happened and your conduct since. Always declare everything.
Non-UK licence holders
Some councils accept a licence you have exchanged, or held in the UK for a set period. Policies vary, so ask before you pay any fees.
Drivers with a medical condition
Many conditions are compatible with the Group 2 standard. A doctor makes the decision, so it is worth asking early.
Renewals and transfers
Renewing is usually simpler than applying new, but moving to another council normally means a fresh application.
Find your council's taxi badge guide
We support applications for these councils. Choose yours to see what is involved and how we can help.
Taxi vs private hire: what is the difference?
The two are licensed separately, so the eligibility rules, tests and costs can differ.
| Feature | Taxi (hackney carriage) | Private hire |
|---|---|---|
| How passengers book | Street hail, rank or pre-booked | Pre-booked through an operator only |
| Driver licence | Taxi driver licence | Private hire driver licence |
| Knowledge test | Often stricter, with a local element | Varies by council |
| Vehicle | Council-approved taxi, often wheelchair accessible | Licensed saloon or MPV |
Documents you will need
Having these ready before you apply saves time and avoids the back-and-forth that slows many applications. Your council will confirm its exact list.
- Your full driving licence
- Proof of address
- Passport or other right-to-work evidence
- Enhanced DBS certificate or application details
- Completed Group 2 medical form
- Passport-style photographs
- Training and test certificates
- Your National Insurance number
- Details of any previous licences or refusals
- Payment for the application fee
What if you are not eligible yet?
Not eligible today rarely means not eligible forever. Time fixes many things: you can build up the required licence-holding period, penalty points expire and older convictions carry less weight. Other gaps can be closed faster, such as improving your English, sorting out right-to-work paperwork or getting a medical assessment. Run the checker again once your situation changes, or ask us for free route advice and we will help you work out the quickest realistic path.
Common reasons applications are delayed or refused
Most problems are avoidable with a little preparation. Watch out for these:
- Not declaring a conviction, caution or penalty points
- Applying before the licence-holding period is met
- Incomplete or out-of-date right-to-work documents
- Medical forms filled in incorrectly
- Failing the knowledge or English test
- Missing safeguarding training certificates
- An expired or non-Enhanced DBS check
- Applying to a council that does not suit where you work
Tips to prepare before you apply
Start by gathering your documents: your driving licence, proof of address, right-to-work evidence and passport-style photos. Next, read your council's licensing policy so you know its fees, tests and renewal period. If you have points, a caution or a medical condition, deal with it early rather than hoping it goes unnoticed, because honesty is weighed heavily in the fit and proper person decision. Finally, budget for resit fees and training, and allow extra time in case your Enhanced DBS check or medical takes longer than expected.
How UK Taxi College can help
We are an independent training and application-support provider. We arrange your training and exams, your Enhanced DBS check and Group 2 medical, then prepare and submit your council application so you always know what comes next. Your council or TfL always makes the final licensing decision, and training cannot guarantee approval or timescales.
Yes, I would love free route adviceTaxi badge eligibility questions, answered
Do I need a clean driving licence?
Not always, but your record matters. A few minor points may be accepted, while serious offences such as drink or drug driving are usually grounds for refusal. Always declare everything.
Can I get a badge with a criminal record?
Sometimes. Councils follow a convictions policy and weigh the offence, how long ago it happened and your conduct since. Violence, sexual and dishonesty offences are treated very seriously.
How long must I have held my driving licence?
It depends on the council, but commonly between one and three years. Some also expect you to have held a UK licence rather than a foreign one.
Can I apply with a non-UK driving licence?
Some councils accept them after a set period in the UK, while others require you to exchange it for a UK licence first. Check your council's policy before applying.
Do I need to own a car?
No. A driver licence is separate from a vehicle licence. You only need a licensed vehicle if you plan to drive your own taxi or private hire car.
Can I become a driver with a medical condition?
Many conditions are manageable, but you must meet the DVLA Group 2 standard. A doctor carries out the assessment, so speak to one if you are unsure.
Does a good result guarantee approval?
No. The checker is a guide based on typical requirements. Your council reviews your documents, checks and tests, and makes the final decision.
Which council should I apply to?
Most drivers apply to the council covering the area where they plan to work. If you are unsure, our free route check can point you to the smoothest option.
Not sure which council is right for you?
Tell us where you would like to work and we will help you find the smoothest route to your badge. It is free, friendly and there is no obligation.