Applying for a drivers licence
To satisfy us that you are a 'fit and proper person' to hold a licence, you must give proof of the following when applying:
- You have held a full current UK or EU driving licence for more than one year (If you don't hold a UK. driving licence contact the licensing office for advice).
- You must pass our knowledge/locality test - you can sit the test before or after you submit your application for the licence. All applicants will be asked questions on licensing law, safeguarding and conditions of licence. Applicants for a Hackney Carriage or Dual Licence will also be asked questions on locations of various places in the area such as pubs, clubs, supermarkets, places of entertainment or interest and have to describe the shortest route between two locations in various parts of the borough and surrounding area. You can have three attempts at passing the test within a 3 month period. If you fail after three attempts you must wait for a period of at least 6 months from the date of the last test you took before being permitted to sit the test again. Guidance notes to assist you are supplied with each application pack (Private Hire or Hackney Carriage/Dual).
- You must provide evidence that you are medically fit to drive and be able to meet Group 2 standard of medical fitness to drive. We will provide you with a medical questionnaire which your own GP (or one who has had access to your full medical history) must complete. Charges for this vary (typically between £60 and £120) and you pay your GP direct.
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You must consent to a criminal record check. This is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). A separate charge is made for this service which you will pay when you submit and pay for your application for the licence. After you have submitted your application for the licence you will be sent an invitation to register online for the DBS check. You must provide a minimum of three documents along with your application. Original documents must be examined by officers so please make an appointment to visit the licensing office to do this. If you cannot access a computer or cannot use your mobile device a number of Customer Service Centres or Libraries are available in North Tyneside.
You will receive your DBS Disclosure Certificate at your home address direct from the DBS. The length of time this takes varies but is typically 2 to 3 weeks. The Authority will also receive an online notification as soon as your Disclosure Certificate has been issued. You must provide the DBS Disclosure number and email a copy of the Disclosure Certificate to the Licensing Office. If the Disclosure Certificate contains information regarding police records, irrespective of how old these are, then you will need to bring your Disclosure Certificate to the Licensing Office as soon as practicable so that officers can examine it and discuss the information provided on it with you. Failure to provide the Disclosure Certificate will result in officers being unable to make a decision on your application.
- You must also subscribe to the DBS Update Service, which must be done within 30 days of the date of issue of your DBS Certificate. There is a separate fee for this that you pay to the DBS direct. Once you have subscribed to the DBS Update Service you must renew the subscription each year that you hold a hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence.
- If you have lived outside the UK and Channel Islands for three months or more you will need to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent document from each country that you have been resident in.
- You must provide evidence that you can live and are able to work in the U.K.
- You must undergo Preventing Sexual Exploitation training before a licence is issued.
- You must be aware of your tax responsibilities and confirm this on the application from.