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Licensing

This page is for new applicants, If you are renewing a licence that is currently valid, please go to the driver renewal page.

Key information before applying:

The Licensing Department has introduced 2 types of driver licences which you can apply for:

  • Dual driver - covering both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire

  • Private Hire Driver

To obtain either of the above licences you must:

  • fully read the Taxi Policy and Conditions [PDF, 0.7MB]

  • be at least 18 years old

  • have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months

  • have the right to work in the UK

  • be able to understand and speak English.

Documents needed as part of the application:

You are required to pass and complete all the below before booking an appointment to submit your application:

  • pass the Knowledge and Competency test

  • undertake the safeguarding course

  • pass the driving assessment

  • applied for an enhanced DBS or be registered on the Update Service

  • right to work

  • DVLA Driving Licence and Share Code Check

  • tax check

  • declared fit on the medical

  • completed HDC driver application form

  • provide an up-to-date colour passport-style photograph of yourself.

Please see below for further information on specific points.

All new applicants are required to pass our knowledge and competency test before you start with any other part of the application process.

This paper consists of 34 questions, all of which are separated in the below categories:

A. English written receipt
B. Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy and Conditions
C. Maths
D. Routes
E. Highway Code

To pass this test, you will need to get at least:

  • 100% (1/1) correct in category A

  • 80% (8/10) correct for each category: B, C, and E

  • 75% (2/3) correct in category D.

You have 30 minutes in which to take this test.

To take the knowledge test, you must fully complete the Application Form and email it to the Licensing team: Licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Once received, a member of the team will contact you for the £55 payment and book an available test date.

You can take the test as many times as you wish, and the fee for each time is £55.

You will need to bring your driving licence and right to work to each test.

Please see below a few example questions for category B, C and E:

1. A passenger hands you a £20 note for a journey costing £7.30. The customer says "Take four pounds for yourself". How much change would you hand to the customer?

a) £9.50
b) £8.70
c) £8.30
d) £12.70

6. How much can you charge for carrying a guide, caring or assistance dog?

a) Carried free of charge
b) Double fare
c) £5
d) Charge an extra 20p per mile

4. You approach a zebra crossing - a person is on the crossing - what must you do?

a) Sound your horn
b) Flash your headlights
c) Stop until the crossing is clear
d) Shout them along

Below is a list of questions relating to category D. For this category you will be asked any 3 of the below and will need to write down, from the starting point, the shortest journey to the destination:

  1. State below the shortest route from Huntingdon train station to Tesco Express, Stukeley Meadows in Huntingdon

  2. State the shortest route from St Neots train station to McDonald's, Wyboston service station

  3. State below the shortest route from Waitrose St Ives to RAF Wyton

  4. State below the shortest route from Huntingdon bus station to Cineworld Cinema, Huntingdon

  5. State below the shortest route from Huntingdon bus station to Hinchingbrooke Hospital

  6. State below the shortest route from Huntingdon bus station to the Marriot Hotel, Huntingdon.

  7. State below the shortest route from St Neots train station to Southoe

  8. State below the shortest route from St Neots train station to The George and Dragon, Eaton Socon

  9. State the shortest route from Rose Cottage Care Home Huntingdon, Broughton to Sainsbury's, Huntingdon

All new applicants are required to pass our knowledge and competency test before you commence with any other part of the application process.

This paper consists of 31 questions, all of which are separated in the below categories:

A. English Written Receipt
B. Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy and Conditions
C. Maths
D. Highway Code

To pass this test, you will need to get at least:

  • 100% (1/1) correct in category A

  • 80% (8/10) correct for each category: B and C

  • 75% (2/3) correct in category D.

You have 20 Minutes in which to take this test.

In order to undertake the Knowledge Test, you must fully complete the Application Form and email this to the Licensing team: Licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Once received, a member of the team will contact you for the £45 payment and book an available test date.

You can take the test as many times as you wish, and the fee for each time is £45.

You will need to bring your driving licence and right to work to each test.

Please see below a few example questions for category B, C and D:

1. A passenger hands you a £20 note for a journey costing £7.30. The customer says "Take four pounds for yourself". How much change would you hand to the customer?

a) £9.50
b) £8.70
c) £8.30
d) £12.70

6. How much can you charge for carrying a guide, caring or assistance dog?

a) Carried free of charge
b) Double fare
c) £5
d) Charge an extra 20p per mile

4. You approach a zebra crossing a person is on the crossing you must what?

a) Sound our horn
b) Flash your headlights
c) Stop until the crossing is clear
d) Shout them along

You are required to undertake our approved safeguarding course before a licence is granted.

Details of the 2 approved courses are:

or

Our approved assessor is Blue Lamp Trust. Please visit their website to book an assessment and for further information about what's involved.

Date of completion must be no more than 12 months from submission of the new driver application.

You must obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Records Check. You can apply for this online - view further information and instructions. If you have a conviction, caution, reprimand or warning that you think may affect your application, please fully read our convictions policy.

Not on the Update Service:

If you are not signed up to the Update Service you will need to undertake the online enhanced check through Care Check - the link provides further information on how to apply.

If you have not been living in the UK continuously during the last five years, you are required to obtain a statement of good conduct (also known as a certificate of good character) before your application can be submitted.

The statement must be in English and be provided by relevant Embassy or police force in the country where you lived/worked. You must arrange, supply and pay for the statement.

On the DBS Update Service:

If you have a suitable Enhanced DBS Certificate registered with the DBS Update Service, you must provide the original certificate to allow us to check the online records.

You must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK. The Immigration Act 2016 requires us to check the status of all new applicants.

In line with the current changes, we no longer accept biometric residence permit cards. You will be required to obtain a Share Code and provide this to us to allow the right to work check to be made.

You will be required to provide your valid DVLA photocard as part of the application.

You also are required to obtain a DVLA share code as part of the application. Please visit GOV.UK to get a code for us to check your licence. You must do this no more than 2 weeks before submitting your application.

Following new guidance, you are now required to provide a HMRC share code regarding your tax status.

A completed Declaration form and Group 2 Medical examination must be completed by a registered general practitioner (GP). Where a medical is not completed by the applicant's own GP, full medical records must be provided to the GP undertaking the medical assessment. This is to ensure you are fit to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle. You will have to pay the fee for the medical directly to the GP. 

This will then be required every 6 years, annually after reaching the age of 65 or if the GP states a period of time.

You are required to fully complete the HDC Driver Application form

Submit your application

Once you have completed the above, you will need to call the Customer Service team on 01480 388388 to book an appointment to visit HDC with all your original documents, certificates and ID.

Location of appointment: Huntingdonshire District Council, Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN