Fit and Proper Persons
In order to be given a driver licence you must show that you are a ‘fit and proper person’.
We require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This will include disclosure, not only of previous convictions, but also matters of concern in relation to children or vulnerable adults. In the case of taxi drivers the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply so previous convictions are never ‘spent’ and must be declared.
If an applicant has previous convictions it does not necessarily mean they will be barred from being a licensed driver.
The definition of what is a fit and proper person is not set in law but the general accepted test is:
“Would you allow your son daughter, mother, spouse or other person you can about get into this vehicle with this person alone?”
If you wish to apply to be a Driver you must be at least 21 years of age and have held a full driving licence for more than 12 months.
As there are currently no Hackney Carriage Vehicle Plates available we will not issue a Hackney Drivers Badge unless you can prove what vehicle you are going to be driving.
If your application is refused you will not be entitled to a refund.
Knowledge Test
A licence is required to drive a hackney carriage vehicle
A new licence will be issued for 3 years
You must pass the Knowledge Test course before you can apply to be a driver, please click on the link below to find details about the course and how to book
Once you have passed the test you may put in the full driver application – we do not have any Hackney Plates available you will have to rent or buy from a current owner.
Changes to proving your right to work in the UK as a licence holder
From Wednesday 6 April 2022, some hackney carriage of private hire licence holders will need to evidence their right to work in the UK using the Home Office online checking service and provide a code to the local authority as part of the application.
This is because employers will no longer be able to accept physical biometric cards.
This includes holders of:
Biometric Residents Permits (BRP)
Biometric Residents Cards (BRC)
Frontier Worker Permit (FWP)
If you hold one of the cards or permits listed above you can prove your right to work online.
Download Application Form
New Hackney Carriage Driver Licence Application
The following will be considered when the application is being evaluated:
- Criminal records check every 3 years – Disclosure & Barring Service Code of Practice
- Medical to Group 2 standard every 3 years
Relevant Fees: £274.70 (this includes)
- New Driver application fee £205.20
- Badge – £20.00
- Enhanced DBS check £49.50 (increased on 2 Dec 24) – this form and DBS Privacy Statement can be requested via email to licensing@thanet.gov.uk
Please email licensing@thanet.gov.uk to arrange an appointment with an officer to verify your documents in person
DBS Update Service – this is now mandatory as a check will soon be required every six months.
You should now sign up for the DBS update service, this will keep your certificate up to date for only £16 per year. If you sign up for this service you will no longer have to paid the £40 at renewal and we will have access to your check therefore making the renewal process quicker. You have to sign up for the service within 28 days of receiving your first DBS certificate.