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If you would like to drive either a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle in our district, you’ll need to apply for a dual driver licence.
This licence will allow you only to drive vehicles licensed by us.
To apply for a licence, you must:
The revised Taxi Licensing Policy came into force on 1 April 2024. Read the policy here.
From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030:
If you have never applied for a dual driver licence then you must apply for a one-year licence.
With the application you will need to send in your:
If you were born outside the UK or you have spent 3 months or more overseas, we will need a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Embassy or Consulate of those countries where you were living. The certificate needs to be dated less than 28 days prior to the application and will need to be in English otherwise you'll be charged the cost of the translation.
Before applying for a licence please ensure that you'll be able to:
Please do not apply for the licence until you are ready to take the knowledge test. You can find out the knowledge test requirements here.
We will not licence you unless you have passed the knowledge test and a driving standards assessment with 1st Castle and a group 2 medical form your own GP surgery.
If you do not pass the tests or complete all the requested information within 12 months, we will cancel your application. The fee is non-refundable.
Background checks including any criminal record checks are part of the application process. If you have any convictions or cautions of any age, spent or unspent, you should contact us before applying.
We will check against the National Register for Revocations, Refusals and Suspensions (NR3S). This is to check if you have had a licence previously revoked, refused or suspended by another authority.
After selecting the button below you'll need to:
There is a fee for this service. The fee includes the first knowledge test.
Apply for a dual driver licence
Once you have passed your knowledge test, medical and driver assessment and we have granted your application, we will produce your licence.
Your licence includes the following:
From 1 April 2022 you will need to meet the new tax check rules set out by HMRC. No licence will be issued without the check code being submitted within your application. More guidance can be found on gov.uk.
On renewal of your licence you can choose either a 1 year or 3 year licence.
We need at least 14 working days for the application form to be processed.
If we have asked you to provide a DBS see our DBS section.
If we have asked you to provide a medical certificate see our medical certificate section.
After selecting the button below you’ll need to:
You should tell us within 7 days of any change of address relating to a licence.
After selecting the button below you'll need to have:
There is a fee for this service.
As part of the licence application we will determine if you are a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a taxi licence, this is to protect passengers.
The relevant part of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, is:
Section 51
a district council shall not grant a licence (a) unless they are satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a driver’s licence; or (b) To any person who has not for at least 12 months been authorised to drive a motor car, or is not at the date of the application for a driver’ licence so authorised
We will check against the National Register for Revocations, Refusals and Suspensions (NR3S). This is to check if you have had a licence previously revoked, refused or suspended by another authority.
To determine that you are a "fit and proper" person we will ask you to:
If you are abrupt or aggressive when talking to us, this may prevent us from approving your application.
At any point after your licence has been issued, we can suspend or revoke your licence should there be evidence to suggest that you are not a fit and proper person.
We have a legal duty to ensure that we do not issue any licences to any person who does not have the right to work in the UK. You may be asked to provide a right to work share code issued by the government - more information can be found on their right to work web page.
If you do not have any immigration restrictions then to prove your right to work status you'll need to supply ID from the following:
If there are immigration restrictions then to prove your right to work status, you’ll need to supply ID from the following:
Once your documents have been verified you are able to book the knowledge test.
During the test you'll not be allowed to use any of the following:
During the test you must not:
We will supply pens and paper if you need them.
If you fail the test, then later tests are charged at our current rate which is payable in advance.
The test has 8 categories and is an electronic multiple-choice system. To pass the knowledge test you must attain at least the minimum score in all categories. The maximum time for the test is 70 minutes to complete all categories.
The 8 categories are:
If you fail any category of the test then you will only have to re-take the categories that you failed on. The time in which you have to take the test remains the same at 70 minutes regardless of the amount of subjects you have to re-take. The cost of the test is subject to change from 1 April each year. If you fail you will be expected to re-take further tests within one month.
You will only have one year from the date of your application in which to take and pass the knowledge test and at the end of that year the application will be cancelled. You will not be able to apply again for 6 months.
We reserve the right to cancel your application before 12 months if we consider that you have not made enough commitment to getting the licence. You will not be able to apply again for 6 months.
We reserve the right to review and change the knowledge test at any time.
We recommend that you study for at least 20 hours before sitting your test.
You'll need to be familiar with
For detailed information look at our study pack: Knowledge test study pack [docx] 1MB
For a fee we can send you a printed version of the study pack.
You'll need a credit or debit card.
We'll usually contact you within a month of your taxi surgery with a date for your knowledge test.
If you've not heard from us after this time then you can contact us.
You’ll need to supply a medical certificate for your first application within 6 weeks of passing the knowledge test and then every 5 years once you turn 45 years old.
Some medical conditions require a medical to be undertaken more regularly. We will inform you if this is the case.
When you turn 65 years of age, we will need a medical form annually.
The medical must be undertaken by your own doctor to the DVLA group II medical standards.
We will give you the relevant form for your GP to complete after you have passed the knowledge test.
For renewal of licences - if a medical is required we will send a reminder 2 months prior to your licence expiry date.
Once you have passed your knowledge test then you can book a driving assessment test with 1st Castle on 01243 867 502.
After you have passed the driving assessment, we will need to see your pass certificate.
All fees can be found on our fees and charges page.
Having a conviction, driving licence endorsement or fixed penalty notice is not a bar to applying for a taxi licence. You will need to contact us first to discuss your convictions.
We will check against the National Register for Revocations, Refusals and Suspensions (NR3S). This is to check if you have had a licence previously revoked, refused or suspended by another authority.
Contact the licensing team
Email taxis@arun.gov.uk
You’ll need to let us know within 7 days if you: