Step 1: Knowledge Test
You must pass the appropriate Knowledge Test before you can go any further with your application. You can book online by visiting our Knowledge Test page.
It's important to note, after passing the test, if you fail to obtain a driver's licence within two years you will need to re-sit the test.
Step 2: Safeguarding and Disability Awareness Training
All prospective drivers are required to successfully complete Taxi Safeguarding and Disability Awareness Training Classroom Courses. Please note, due to social distancing, these courses are currently being delivered via Zoom by the Blue Lamp Trust.
You'll need to arrange and pay for your test directly by clicking on the links below:
Step 3: Practical Driving Assessment
You are required to complete a practical driving assessment.
All new Hackney Carriage drivers can only licence/drive a wheelchair accessible vehicle. If you are applying to be a new Hackney Carriage driver, you will therefore need to pass the accessibility assessment as well.
You'll need to arrange and pay for your test directly with one of the below approved providers:
You should only proceed to step 4 if you pass your assessment. This is to avoid you having to obtain further Enhanced Disclosure certificates or medical checks (at your cost) if you do not pass the driving assessment, as we will only accept these documents if they are less than 3 months old.
Step 4: Criminal Record History
All new applicants need to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (criminal record) check through the council.
Please pay for your DBS check using our online form. This covers the cost of the check and the council’s processing costs.
When the Licensing Office receive this payment they will register you for an online DBS account.
You will be sent an email from noreply@employmentcheck.org.uk with a website link, login and password to access the online DBS application form. You will need to complete the form following the guidance on the website.
Once you have submitted your application form, you will need to contact the Licensing Office and arrange an appointment for your original documents to be checked and verified.
As stated at step 5, when you attend this appointment, you will need to bring a £5 cheque or postal order made out to DVLA Swansea.
The full list of acceptable documents can be found via the links below. Please note that only original forms of identification can be accepted.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.
Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.
Update service
All applicants will also be required to sign up to the update service with the DBS. Visit GOV.UK DBS for further guidance on registering with the DBS update service.
Certificate of Good Conduct
If you haven’t lived in the UK for more than the last 3 years you will also need to obtain a criminal record check from the country(ies) you lived in. This is commonly referred to as a 'Certificate of Good Conduct.' The application process varies from country to country. You will have to apply in the country or to the relevant embassy in the UK. You can find guidance for applying for criminal records checks from overseas at the GOV.UK website
Please note that you will need to request that the Certificate of Good Conduct is issued in English or obtain a certified translation of the certificate.
Step 5: Driving History check
All new applicants are required to complete a D888/1 form. This form allows the licensing office to obtain your full driving history.
This form will be completed at the appointment you attend, to show your original ID supporting your DBS application.
You will need to bring a £5 cheque or postal order made out to DVLA Swansea.
Step 6: Right to work checks
Your right to work in the UK will be checked as part of your licence application, this could include us checking your immigration status with the Home Office. We may also share information with the Home Office.
You must either:
- share your immigration status using the Home Office online checking service ‘prove your right to work to an employer’ if your status is compatible with the service, or
- provide a document or document combination that is stipulated as being suitable for this check.
Where an online check has been carried out, the ‘profile’ page confirming your right to work will be copied and retained by the licensing authority.
Where a manual check is carried out, and you have provided a document(s) set out at Document requirements for Right to Work check you must provide the original document(s). The document(s) will be copied, and the copy retained by the licensing authority. The original document will be returned to you.
Your application will not be considered valid until all the necessary information and any original document(s) have been produced and the relevant fee has been paid.
If there are restrictions on the length of time you may work in the UK, your licence will not be issued for any longer than this period. In such circumstances the check will be repeated each time you apply to renew or extend your licence, if, during this period, you are disqualified from holding a licence because you have not complied with the UK’s immigration laws, your licence will lapse and you must return it to the licensing authority. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
Step 7: Medical Check
Every driver has to have a full medical check completed by their own General Practitioner, or by a GP that has access to their medical information. You will be responsible for arranging and paying any fee for this.
Your GP will be required to complete the DVLA D4 medical form and a separate declaration confirming that they have access to your medical records and whether you are compliant with the DVLA Group 2 Medical Standards.
Submit this form and the GP declaration when making your Driver Licence application. At the time of your application, your medical form must be less than three months old.
Step 8: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) tax check code
If you’re an individual, company or any type of partnership you must complete a tax check if you’re:
- renewing a licence
- applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that ceased to be valid less than a year ago
- applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority
Full guidance can be found on the HMRC Tax Check Factsheet
Visit the GOV.UK website to get a tax check code.
You will not need to complete a tax check and you should follow the confirm your tax responsibilities guidance if you have:
- never held a licence of the same type before
- had a licence of the same type that ceased to be valid a year or more before making this application
You must declare that you have read and understood the guidance in the application form and provide your tax check code if required.
Step 9: DVLA 'check code'
All applicants (i.e. for new licences and renewals), will need to obtain a DVLA driving licence online 'check code' at the time of submitting their application to allow us to check your counter-part. Please visit GOV.UK to obtain your code. You'll need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode on your driving licence.
The unique code you receive is only valid for 21 days, so you should only obtain this once you are ready to complete the application form below.
Step 10: Driver Licence Application
Once you have completed all of the above steps, you can apply and make payment for a Driver Licence using our online application form. The form takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
You'll be asked to make a payment of £173.50 by either debit or credit card.
What happens after I submit my application?
Once you submit your application you will receive an automatic email notification confirming receipt.
We will contact you afterwards if there are any issues that need addressing.
Once the Licensing Officer is satisfied that you meet the criteria set out in the relevant Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, so long as all application requirements are satisfied, your licence will be granted and sent out in the post.
