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Apply for a taxi or private hire licence

How to apply for a taxi driver's licence

We are responsible for making sure that the taxi and private hire trade in St Helens is operated in a professional manner and that the correct standards of safety and comfort are satisfied by all licensed drivers.

There are specific criteria that you must meet before a licence can be granted:

Please read our taxi licensing policy (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window) before making your application.

Initial application

To apply for a taxi driver's licence, you will need to complete the online application form and upload the following documents as PDFs at the end of the process:

  • DVLA driving licence (both sides)
  • Current UK passport or UK birth certificate (if your passport was issued outside of the UK or Republic of Ireland, then a certificate of good character will be required from the relevant embassy if you have not lived in the UK for a minimum period of five continuous years before making your application (in English))
  • National insurance number (either the number card, official national insurance number letter from the DWP or the national insurance letter obtainable from the government gateway website)
  • Recent colour passport-sized photograph
  • Council tax bill (current year), bank statement or utility bill (no older than three months)
  • DVLA mandate check code
  • HMRC tax check code (from 4 April 2022 if applicable). Please read the 'tax checks' section for full information.
  • Applicants who are not UK nationals by birth or by naturalisation must also produce a Home Office check code in order for us to check your right to work status. You must also produce your residency permit if you have been issued with one.

All documents (including your DVLA driving licence) must be in your current address.

Once we have received and checked your application form, you will be contacted in order to book a first appointment and posted a DBS application form to complete. Please note that there is a £47.00 charge for the appointment, which will be deducted from the cost of your licence application. This fee is non-refundable and should you fail to attend the appointment, the fee will be forfeited.

Please ensure that you check your application and supporting documents before you submit it, as any incorrect submissions will result in the application being rejected and a new application will then have to be submitted.

First appointment

The following original documentation must be brought to your appointment:

  • DVLA driving licence
  • Current UK passport or UK birth certificate (if your passport was issued outside of the UK or Republic of Ireland, then a certificate of good character will be required from the relevant embassy if you have not lived in the UK for a minimum period of five continuous years before making your application (in English))
  • National insurance number (either the number card, official national insurance number letter from the DWP or the national insurance letter obtainable from the government gateway website)
  • Recent colour passport-sized photograph
  • Council tax bill (current year), bank statement or utility bill (no older than three months)
  • Completed DBS application form
  • DBS Privacy Policy Declaration Form (PDF) [117KB]

All documents (including your DVLA driving licence) must be in your current address.

Every applicant must have a criminal record check before they can be granted a licence. This done by asking you to get an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We will also check your DVLA driving licence to see if you have any motoring convictions.

You must also bring either a credit or debit card to pay the application fee.

Second appointment

Once you have received your DBS certificate, your group 2 medical and have passed the essential skills assessment and safeguarding course, you will need to contact us to arrange a second appointment.

The following documentation must be submitted:

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