Are you ready to learn taxi driving?
Getting started as a taxi driver
There are two types of taxi: hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Hackney carriages (taxis) can be hailed on the street or wait for passengers in a taxi rank. Private hire vehicles (PHVs) must be booked in advance. The information in this section covers both types of taxi.
The licensing requirements for taxi drivers differ depending on whether you intend to drive inside or outside London:
- If you want to drive a taxi in London, you will need to apply to Transport for London (TfL) for a taxi licence
- If you want to drive outside London, you will need to apply to your local council for a taxi licence.
Getting your taxi licence
Eligibility rules and costs differ across the UK. Contact TfL or your local council to find out what you'll need to do to become a taxi driver under their rules.
In all areas, to be eligible for a taxi licence, you must:
- be legally entitled to work in the UK
- have held a full GB, Northern Ireland (NI) or EU driving licence for at least 12 months
- be a fit and proper person.
You may also need to:
- pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- pass a medical check, including an eyesight test
- pass a driving test
- pass a test to assess your knowledge of the local area.