Taxi and private hire driver licences

You must have a licence to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle. We issue dual licences that allow successful applicants to drive either type of vehicle.

Licences must be renewed every three years.

The application process

To request an application pack, email licensing@rugby.gov.uk

All application forms and supporting documents should be completed and emailed to licensing@rugby.gov.uk

Applications must include completed copies of the following documents, together with relevant fee:

completed licence application form
completed Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) check form
completed Group 2 Medical Examination Report completed by the applicant's GP
signed copy of the code of conduct
proof of attendance at a disability awareness training course (drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles only)
one passport-sized photograph
original paper and photo card driving licence (showing your current address)
original passport (if held)
proof of National Insurance number (for example, a payslip or tax return document)
a utility bill no more than three months old (for example, a gas or electricity bill)
if not a UK citizen, proof of right to work in the UK and a Certificate of Good Conduct

An Enhanced DBS Certificate is required as part of the Dual Driver Licence application, this can be applied for online via TaxiPlus

Apply for a DBS certificate

Please note, your DBS Certificate must be registered for the DBS Update Service in order for the Council to conduct annual DBS checks via the update service.

We cannot grant a licence until we have received a DBS certificate.

Applicants must also pass the council's Street Knowledge Test, an English Communication Assessment and a Driving Assessment.

The Street Knowledge Trest can be booked by calling (01788) 533533. Applicants must pay a £40 fee to sit the test (payable on the day).

Please note, the test has a pass rate of 85 per cent and the test can be taken a maximum of three times.

English Communication Assessments can be booked by calling (01788) 552933.

Driving Assessments must be booked at one of the following council-approved providers:

Diamond Advanced Motorists - book online or call 02082 530120
Green Penny - book online or call 03301 117230
The Blue Lamp Trust - book online or call 03337 000157

We can only issue a licence once we have received and verified all of the application documents, and the applicant has passed the necessary tests.

Applications can be referred to the council's licensing sub-committee for consideration.

How to apply

To request an application pack, email licensing@rugby.gov.uk.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent does not apply to this licence. This means that you must wait until we give you a licence before you may drive a taxi or private hire vehicle.