After we have issued your driver licence

Using your own vehicle

If you will be using your own vehicle(s) as a Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle:

• vehicles must be less than 3 years old.

Before you can start taking passengers for hire and reward you need a licence for your vehicle. You should not do this until you have received your driver’s licence.

Apply for a private hire vehicle licence. 

If you intend to run your own company

If you wish to start up a company accepting bookings for private hire vehicles you will need to apply for a private hire vehicle operator’s licence. You can do this before you receive your driver’s licence if you wish, but all licences must be in place before you start to operate.

Apply for a private hire vehicle operator licence

If you will be working for an operator

If you will be working for an existing operator, and will not be using your own vehicle, then all you need to check is that the vehicle you are driving is licensed (check the plate on the back) and insured.