Taxi drivers
As we are entering the driver renewal period, there may be delays in processing applications. To ensure your business is not affected, please submit your application, together with all necessary documents and fee, in good time before the expiry date on your licence.
Vehicle age policy
From 1 January 2025 all vehicles over the age of 15 years from the date of first DVLA registration will ordinarily be refused a licence unless the vehicle is in exceptional condition and has been approved for use following an Exceptional Condition Vehicle Check.
Please refer to the Hackney and private hire vehicle age and specification policy for further details.
From 1 January 2025 all newly licensed vehicles will be required to be a minimum of Euro 6 compliant or ZEC or ULEV.
Definitions:
Ultra-Low Emission cars are those cars that in tests, produce less than 75 grams of CO2 for every 1 Kilometre travelled (75g/km CO2).
ZEC is defined as: Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicles. Emit no more than 75g/km CO2 exhaust emissions and be capable of being operated with no (zero) emissions for a minimum range of 20 miles (32.187 km).
Information about the National Register of Refusals and Revocations (NR3) policy
From 1 April 2025 - only Private Hire vehicles under five (5) years of age from the date of first DVLA registration will be considered for first licensing
Tax check guidance
The rules are changing for applications for:
- taxi driver licences
- private hire driver licences
- private hire vehicle operator licences
- scrap metal site licences
- scrap metal collector licences
From 4 April 2022, licensing authorities must carry out checks on applications from individuals, companies and any type of partnership to make sure they are aware of their tax responsibilities or have completed a tax check:
Renew an existing taxi driving licence
As an existing licence holder you will receive a renewal reminder approximately three months before your licence expires.
Please note: We are no longer including an application form in your renewal pack. Please read the renewal letter that you have received which sets out clearly what you need to do.
You can now renew your taxi driving licence online. You will need to register and login to use this service.
Your licence will not be issued on the day of submitting your renewal. Please allow up to 20 working days for your renewal application to be processed. It is your responsibility to apply in plenty of time to renew your licence.
Apply for a new driver licence
Right to Work in the United Kingdom
Any person applying for a driver licence must provide proof that they are eligible to reside and work in the UK. Proof of residence is now a mandatory requirement for all driver licence applications. If you fail to provide such documentation, then we will not begin processing your licence application until you do so.
It should also be noted that if a person ceases to have the right to live and work within the UK, any driver licence issued will lapse. Therefore, it is incumbent on the applicant to ensure that any documents are supplied to us as soon as possible if their right to live and work in the UK expires midway through a licence period.
Your right to work will be checked as part of your driver licence application and this could involve us checking your immigration status with the Home Office. We may otherwise share information with the Home Office.
All nationals
All nationals will need to prove your right to work to an employerOpens in new tab.
List of acceptable documents for Right to Work checkOpens in new tab.
In order to ensure all applicants are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence we require:
- A completed Driver application form.
- An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and subscription to the Online Update Service. Link to DBS Acceptable DocumentsOpens in new tab and link to DBS On-line Update Service guidance notes. DBS certificates may be obtained from a third party organisation, please read Third Party Disclosure and Barring Certificates. Complete the Disclosure and Barring Privacy Policy Statement form - which must be completed with a DBS application form. Failure to provide this statement will mean we cannot process your application. Also read the DBS Privacy Policy StatementOpens in new tab and the Council's guidance on Storage, Handling, Retention, Disposal of DBS Certification.
- A medical examination from your own GP that proves the person meets the requirements of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Group 2 medical for vocational drivers. Download a Medical Form for more information.
- Successful completion of the Derby City Knowledge test. Download Knowledge Test Guidance Notes for more information.
- Successful completion of a practical driving test aimed specifically at taxi driving. Dual licence applicants will need to pass the advanced test that includes the safe transportation of wheelchair passengers. Download a List of Driving Test Providers.
- Any person applying for a driver licence must provide proof that they are eligible to reside and work in the UK. Proof of residence is now a mandatory requirement for all driver licence applications. If you fail to provide such documentation, then we will not begin processing your licence application until you do so. It should also be noted that if a person ceases to have the right to live and work within the UK, any driver licence issued will lapse. Therefore, it is incumbent on the applicant to ensure that any documents are supplied to us as soon as possible if their right to live and work in the UK expires midway through a licence period. Your right to work will be checked as part of your driver licence application and this could involve us checking your immigration status with the Home Office. We may otherwise share information with the Home Office. All nationals will need to prove your right to work to an employerOpens in new tab. Refer to the list of acceptable documents for Right to Work checkOpens in new tab.
- Successful completion of the Council’s course in Safeguarding Awareness. Current Safeguarding Training Dates. You may find Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Information Sheet for Drivers useful.
- Dual licence applicants will also need to complete the Derby City Practical Driving Test, please see Derby City Practical Driving Test Guidance for more information.
- If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) national and have not lived within the UK for at least five years, you will need to obtain a certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant national embassy
- One passport sized photo.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have held a full UK or European drivers’ licence for at least 12 months.
Disclosure and Barring Service criminal record check forms have a unique number and cannot be downloaded from our website. Please email the Licensing Team and we will post the DBS application form out to you
As from 1 July 2017 we will use the Derby Penalty Point Scheme when assessing a persons’ suitability to be granted a licence or to continue to hold a licence. You are advised to read the Penalty Point Scheme before you apply.
Complete a Driver application form. If you do not have access to a computer or printer, you can use the public computers in any of the Council's libraries. Please post or email your application form with your current driving licence and a completed DBS form, together with the acceptable documents and those needed for your immigration status/right to work check.
You can then book onto the knowledge test and the safeguarding awareness course, but you are advised to wait until you have received your DBS certificate. The Knowledge Test Scheduled Dates and Safeguarding Training Dates are subject to availability.
You will need to provide all the required documents, including a passport sized photograph before a licence will be considered and pay the correct fees. Our licensing payments page explains what fees apply and how to pay them.
Once granted you must complete the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (Taxi and Private Hire) within 3 years. Please see the Gateway Training Solutions website for more information on how to obtain this qualification.
Once granted you will be expected to comply with licence conditions:
If you are interested in getting a licence to drive a stretched limousine with eight seats or less, or to drive a tuk-tuk please email the Licensing Team at taxi.licensing@derby.gov.uk.
Driver exemptions
If you would like to apply for an exemption please complete the Exemption application form.
Please email completed application forms to the Licensing Team.
Some public registers are published online and are updated at least every three months. If you have any queries please email the Licensing Team.
The next scheduled meetings are listed below. Please note the cut-off date for the receipt of agenda items and statements or supporting information. The meetings will be held at the Council House starting at 10am. Details of the Terms of Reference for the Taxi Licensing Trade Meetings be downloaded.
The Licensing Team is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy when you use our services. Please view Licensing Team Privacy Notices for further information. Printed copies are available on request.
Licensing Office opening times
Not available at this time.