Apply for a taxi licence

The driver application process has changed from 1 May 2024. This is to provide a more efficient service for new applicants. We will assess your application in a booked appointment and will let you know before you leave the meeting if we can grant your badge.

Driver knowledge test

All new drivers must pass the knowledge test before we can issue a licence.

The current fee for this test is £46, which you can pay on our online payment system.

The knowledge test takes place during the new driver appointment.

You can prepare for the test by:

• reading the licensing handbook
• taking the safeguarding certificate
• reading the Equality Act 2010
• using a current map to locate where places such as schools and hospitals are in North Norfolk
• being aware of the Highway Code

Common driver knowledge and general maths and English are also incorporated.

Application cost

The current application fee is £210, which you can pay on our online payment system.

Booking a meeting

To apply for the first time, please book an appointment using our driver booking system.

Attending the meeting

Please make sure you bring all of the following items to the meeting. We may have to cancel the meeting until you have a full application. You will receive a copy of the handbook to keep; all drivers must carry this with them whilst driving their licensed vehicle.

• Application form (PDF). This must be fully completed.
• Birth certificate (or family certificate/NADRA)
• Certificate of Conduct if you have ever lived outside of the UK
• Council Tax statement if you do not have a DBS certificate
• DBS certificate. You can apply for a DBS online.
• DVLA driving licence held for at least 12 months, showing your current address
• Medical certificate (North Norfolk District Council)
• Medical report (D4) 
• National Insurance number proof, such as a recent payslip or letter from HMRC.
• Passport style photo. If you agree, this can be taken at the meeting on your phone.
• Passport (if you have one)
• Proof of payment
• Right to work in the UK ID
• Safeguarding training certificate from Norfolk County Council

References

The person who will provide a reference is called a referee. Please ask your two referees to complete the reference form as soon as they are able to. This must be done before your appointment date.

All new applicants will need two references from people of good standing in the community. We follow the government's guidance to decide if the referee is suitable.

One of your references should be your last employer. If you were self-employed, you will need to provide a reference from a client. Personal referees must have known you for at least 3 years. Employer references must be from people who employed you for a minimum of one year.

Sending to your referees

To copy the link:

1. Right click on reference form
2. Select copy link
3. Open a new email
4. Right click and select paste
5. Type out the rest of your email and send to your referee

Sample email:

I am applying to register as a taxi driver with North Norfolk District Council. I have provided your details for a reference. Please would you follow this link to send the reference directly to the licensing team? Thank you for your time.

What happens after?

1. The referee will receive the link
2. They complete the form
3. The licensing team receives the reference directly.

We will need the postal address and email address of both of your referees on your application form. These must match the details of the references we receive.

We cannot issue your licence until satisfactory references are received.

You should make sure that you renew your licence before its expiry date. Please submit your application at least one month before your current licence expires. Our standard licence is issued for 3 years. If your licence has expired, you must reapply as a new driver.

All documents can be provided by email, with the exception of a DBS verification if a new DBS is needed. If you apply with us for your enhanced DBS, you will need a face to face interview so we can verify your original documents. We encourage all drivers to register for the DBS update service to avoid needing to reapply. If you prefer, you can make a face to face appointment for your renewal using our online booking system.

What you need to apply

• Application form (PDF). This must be fully completed.
• Certificate of Conduct if you have ever lived outside of the UK
• DVLA driving licence held for at least 12 months, showing your current address
• DBS certificate. You can apply for a DBS online.
• Medical certificate, or a new North Norfolk District Council medical certificate if expired
• Medical report, or a new Group 2 medical report if expired
• Passport style photo if you wish to update it
• Proof of payment
• Right to work in the UK proof
• Safeguarding training on record. If you do not have this, please take the course again and email us your completion certificate.
• Taxi tax check. View the tax check factsheet for more information.

You must have also paid the appropriate fee. You can pay online with your credit or debit card.

Please let us know of any changes to your name or address in writing so the correct information can be shown on your licence. You will only be charged if your badge needs to be redone. View our licensing fees for the current cost.

You will need to include the following information with your letter. We must see original documents:

• for change of name – marriage certificate or other change of name certificate
• for change of address – updated DVLA driving licence
• appropriate fee
• proof of payment if applicable

Please let us know of any changes to your name or address in writing so the correct information can be shown on your licence. You will only be charged if your badge needs to be redone. View our licensing fees for the current cost.

You will need to include the following information with your letter. We must see original documents:

• DVLA driving licence showing your new address
• appropriate fee or proof of payment if applicable

For a valid application, we need the following forms and documentation. You can submit your application without the vehicle inspection report. Incomplete applications will be returned. Please book a time and date for your application to be assessed on our appointment service. You do not need to attend the appointment.

• application form (PDF)
• basic DBS (NNDC licensed drivers can use their existing enhanced DBS)
• current insurance certificate
• details of your inspection appointment at the approved testing station (provider, date)
• MOT certificate for private hire vehicles if at least 3 years old*
• pay the appropriate fee. You can pay online with your credit or debit card. We will need proof of payment.
• vehicle inspection report (passed). The garage sends this directly to the licensing team.
• vehicle registration document (V5)

* This is not required if issued with the new receipt style MOT from October 2011. Instead, details of the MOT test number or document reference number from the V5C registration certificate are requested on the application form.

For a valid application we need all of the following forms and documentation. Incomplete applications will be returned. Please book a time and date for your application to be assessed using our appointment service. You do not need to attend your appointment.

• application form (PDF)
• basic DBS (NNDC licensed drivers can use their existing enhanced DBS)
• current insurance certificate
• MOT certificate for hackney carriage vehicles if at least 1 year old*
• pay the appropriate fee. You can pay online with your credit or debit card. We will need proof of payment.

• vehicle registration document (V5)
• vehicle inspection report (passed). The garage sends this directly to the licensing team.

* This is not required if issued with the new receipt style MOT from October 2011. Instead details of MOT test number or document reference number from the V5C registration certificate are requested on the application form

For a valid application we need all of the following forms and documentation. Incomplete applications will be returned.

• Pedicab new or renewal application form (PDF)
• vehicle inspection report (passed)
• registration document (V5)
• current insurance certificate 
• proof of payment if applicable

Please complete the variation application form for any of the following changes:

• change from hackney carriage to private hire
• change of registration number, with no change to the vehicle
• change of operator details

Please book a time and date for your application to be assessed using our appointment service. You do not need to attend the appointment.

The above changes to a vehicle do not require the vehicle to have a vehicle inspection test.

The following changes do require the vehicle to have a vehicle inspection test before we can issue the licence:

• change from private hire to hackney carriage (meter test required only)
• modifications of the vehicle

The approved testing station will charge a fee for their service. This is payable directly to the garage.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• variation application form (PDF) or pedicab transfer application form (PDF)
• proof of payment. View our licensing fees.
• vehicle inspection report 
• current insurance certificate   

View the framework process for vehicle variation applications.

Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licences are no longer transferable to new vehicles. A new licence will be required.

For a valid application, we need all of the following forms and documentation. Incomplete applications will be returned.

You will need to provide us with the following:

• operator new or renewal application form (PDF) 
• pay the appropriate fee. You can pay online with your credit or debit card (only applicable if a private hire operator. There is no fee for a hackney carriage operator’s registration). Proof of payment will need to be seen if applicable.
• if more than one vehicle will be used, you will need a planning permission decision notice OR confirmation from planning that permission is not required. You can find out more about this on Planning Portal.
• public liability insurance if public have access to the operator office.

Operators must understand their tax obligations and make a statement to confirm their understanding on the application form.

Please read the following GOV.UK pages: 

• Tax check factsheet
• Register for self assessment
• Corporation tax
• How you pay income tax

Renewing operators must provide a taxi tax check code. The details are on the application form.

References

Please ask both your referees to complete the reference form as soon as they can before your appointment date.

We will need the postal address and email address of both of your referees on your application form. These must match the details of the references we receive.

We cannot issue your licence until satisfactory references are received.

You will need to provide us with the following:

• operator new or renewal application form (PDF) 
• pay the appropriate fee, you can pay online with your credit or debit card. We will need to see proof of payment.
• complete a taxi tax check. View the tax check factsheet for more information
• certificate of insurance (even if you have provided this to us before)

You will need to provide us with the following:

• horse and cart new or renewal application form (PDF)
• inspection report form
• insurance certificate
• proof of payment of licensing fees if applicable
• registration document
• vet report forms for each horse

View the horse and cart conditions for guidance when completing the forms.

Please complete the transfer application form for any of the following changes:

• change of cart
• addition or removal of horses
• cart involved in an accident and a temporary cart is provided by your insurance company – payment will be required twice, once for the transfer to a temporary cart and once for the transfer back to the original cart

View our licensing fees. Proof of payment needs to be seen if applicable.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• horse and cart transfer application form (PDF)
• horse and cart additional horse form (maximum of 2 horses per cart)
• inspection report form
• registration document
• insurance certificate
• vet report forms for each horse
• proof of payment if applicable

View the horse and cart conditions for guidance when completing the forms.