Knowledge Test for New Applicants: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers’ Licences
To provide a safe service to the public, all new Private Hire and Hackney Carriage drivers must have a good understanding of the local area and the laws they work under.
Because of this, you must pass a series of tests before you can get your driver’s licence. Please follow the steps on this page.
Before taking your tests, you must have a good knowledge of our driver conditions. Please read the new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
PermalinkSince 1 January 2026, you must pass a 1-to-1 English Test before you are allowed to book the main Knowledge Test.
- Location: Thanet Council Offices in Margate.
- Length & cost: The test takes about one hour and is currently free.
- How to book: You must complete our online form to request a place. We no longer accept bookings by email. We will email you your test date and time within five working days.
Important English Test rules:
- Long waits: This course is very popular. You may have to wait up to two months for a place, and there is no cancellation list.
- No-shows: If you book a place and do not turn up, you will not be allowed to book again for six months.
- If you fail: You will not be allowed to take the Knowledge Test. You must wait at least three months to retake the English Test, depending on your score.
Once you pass the English Test, you can take the main Knowledge Test. This test covers both Private Hire and Hackney rules (there are no longer separate courses).
If you pass, you will then need to apply for either your Hackney Carriage Badge or your Private Hire Badge. You can apply for both if required but we do not do a dual licence. Each licence has a fee that will also need to be paid.
If you are changing your licence type from Private Hire to Hackney Carriage (or from Hackney Carriage to Private Hire), you will need to take this new test.
You will also still need to take the online Visitor Ambassador Course. Further details can be found on this page.
- What it covers: Customer service, safety, reporting crimes, highway code, vehicle condition, disability awareness, safeguarding, basic maths, and local area knowledge.
- Cost: £135. This includes a full one-day course, lunch, and one free resit of the exam if you fail the first time.
- Results: You take the exam at the end of the day. You will get your results within 24 hours, and if you pass, your certificate will be emailed to you.
- How to book: Book on the Green Penny website. Once on the site, select: “Council Approved Taxi Courses – 1 day course (Kent)”.
Important Knowledge Test rules:
- Cheating: Anyone caught cheating will not get a resit and will be unable to book another course for six months.
- Licence validity: Your pass certificate is only valid for 1 year. You must apply for your badge within 12 months of passing.
- Hackney Carriage plates: Passing this test does not guarantee you a Hackney Carriage Plate. The council has no new plates available; you will have to rent or buy an existing one from a current owner.
You must also complete the online Visitor Ambassador course.
You must complete two courses and pass two quizzes to get your certificate:
- Welcome to the Isle of Thanet (Pass mark: 18 out of 20)
- Customer Care (Pass mark: 8 out of 10)
Once you have passed all your tests, you can complete your driver application.
- Get your form: Pick up a physical DBS (criminal record check) form from the council offices in Margate.
- Book an appointment: Email licensing@thanet.gov.uk to book an appointment for us to check and send off your completed application forms.
- DBS Update Service: Once your DBS check comes back in the post, you must immediately sign up for the DBS Update Service. We cannot accept DBS checks that are older than one month. We will explain how to do this at your appointment.