Apply for or renew a private hire driver licence

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) [1MB] 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.

Fees