New Application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence

If you would like to apply for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence here are the steps you need to follow. Please read the following information carefully.

New applicants must be over 21, have held a full DVLA driving licence for at least 12 months and have the right to work in the UK.

 PLEASE NOTE - Only call our Licensing office when you're ready to either:

• Book onto the Driver Training Course, or
• Book your Driver Appointment with all documents ready.

Step 1: Complete the Taxi Driver Training Course

• All new applicants must complete the Taxi Driver Training Course.
• To register, call 0161 342 4262 (option 3).
• The Course fee is £50.00 which will be taken upon booking.

Step 2: Receive your Driver Pack

• Following successful completion of the Taxi Driver Training Course you will receive an application pack in the post.
• This pack will contain all the documents and instructions needed to continue with your application.

Step 3: Apply for your DBS

• Apply for your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through us.
• Your application pack will contain the DBS application form and let you know what documents we need to process this.
• Once you have these documents and application form ready, send these through to licensing@tameside.gov.uk.
• You will then be contacted for a £55 payment for us to process your DBS.
• Once you have received your DBS certificate in the post, it is your responsibility to ensure that you register to the DBS update service. This is now an essential requirement for all our drivers. To do this please visit DBS Update Service - GOV.UK and follow the online instructions. You must register within 30 days of the certificate being issued. Failure to do this within the allotted time will result in you having to apply for a new DBS certificate at a further cost to yourself.

What if I already have a DBS certificate that is registered with the DBS Update Service?

If you already have a “Other workforce taxi driver” Enhanced DBS certificate and are already registered to the update service, you do not need to apply for a new DBS. We will need to see a copy of your original certificate.

Step 4: Book your Driver Appointment 

• Once your DBS certificate has arrived and you have collected and completed all additional documents within your application pack you are able to book your Driver Appointment.
• To book your Driver Appointment, call 0161 342 4262 (option 3).
• The appointment will be held at Tame Street, Stalybridge.
• When you arrive for your appointment, it is essential that you have brought with you all the documents required. If you do not bring all your documents, we may need to reschedule your appointment to the next available date which will delay your application.

We look forward to receiving your application.

When do I receive my Hackney Carriage and/or Private Hire drivers licence?

Once we have a complete and valid application your licence will be processed. You will receive an email confirming when your licence will be ready for collection.