Apply for or renew a private hire driver licence
What you need to know
Private hire taxis must be pre-booked. Journeys can start or end anywhere, they do not have to be inside the borough.
A private hire driver's licence means:
- drivers may drive a Guildford licensed private hire vehicle
- you must wear their licence badge at all times
- you cannot drive a Hackney Carriage
Please read our updated taxi policy 2021 (PDF, 1 MB) before starting your application.
Requirements
You be a 'fit and proper person' - which means your background and character will be checked. We may carry out an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We will look at:
- medical fitness
- driving record
- drivers must sign up to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) update service and a check every 6 months
- drivers must report any arrest, charges or conviction within 48 hours
- a code of conduct for drivers has now been introduced
Before you apply for a licence you must have passed:
- an approved driving assessment
- drivers must obtain a BTEC qualification in "The Introduction to the role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver". The qualification should be less than three years old when first submitted to the council
All new applicants need to pass an assessment before we licence them, the following companies can help with this. To make a booking:
- The Blue Lamp Trust (opens new window), telephone 0333 700 0157
- AA DriveTech, telephone 01256 495132 or email tellmemore@AAdrivetech.com
- Green Penny (opens new window), telephone 0330 111 7230
- IAM RoadSmart (opens new window), telephone 020 8996 9600
We offer pre-application advice on this licence.
BTEC Course providers
The Council keeps a record of organisations offering BTEC courses, but doesn't endorse or recommend any of them. Any organisation can ask to be added to this list, and each one decides its own prices and course schedules. Drivers must pay for all costs related to the qualification themselves and should choose a course provider that meets their requirements.
This is not a comprehensive list, and other providers may be available.
Name of Provider | Address & E-Mail | Website |
---|---|---|
Highfield Qualifications | Highfield ICON | Highfield Qualifications (opens new window) |
ED Lounge | Aston House | ED Lounge (opens new window) |
Eastleigh College | Eastleigh College | Eastleigh College (opens new window) |
City and Guilds | 5 - 6 Giltspur Street | City and Guilds (opens new window) |
Gateway Training Solutions | 3 Elite House | Gateway Training Solutions (opens new window) |
Pearson BTEC | 2 Exeter Close, | Pearson BTEC (opens new window) |
London Paragon College | Swarn House, 020 364 28555 | London Paragon College (opens new window) |
Fees
Private Hire Drivers | Fee for 2024/25 |
---|---|
Private Hire Driver's Licence (new/renew) | £397.44 |
Convert from Private Hire Driver to Hackney Carriage Driver | £19.94 |
Private Hire Driver Replacement Badge | £14.62 |