- Apply for a new Hackney carriage driver licence
- Renew a Hackney carriage driver licence
- Apply for a Hackney carriage vehicle licence
- Renew a Hackney carriage vehicle licence
- Tax conditionality
- Licence type change (private hire to Hackney)
- Notify us of a change
- Hackney carriage byelaws
- Pay for
- Report an accident
- Book a vehicle inspection test
- Contact the licensing team
NR3S - National Register of Taxi and Private Hire Licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions
From 27 April 2023, all licensing authorities in England are required to:
- Add details of any refusal to issue or renew a Taxi or Private Hire driver licence application to the NR3S Register relating to safeguarding or road safety concerns
- Record details on the NR3S Register any revocation or suspension of a Taxi or Private Hire driver licence relating to safeguarding or road safety concerns
- Search the NR3S Register before issuing or renewing any Taxi or Private Hire driver licence
Where a licence has been refused, revoked or suspended, all licensing authorities in England must record certain required personal information about the applicant / licensed driver on the NR3S database. The information will be retained on the NR3S Register for up to 11 years. Historic decisions may also be added to the register.
The purpose is to assess whether an individual is a fit and proper person to hold a Taxi or Private Hire drivers licence. View the Frequently Asked Questions document below, which includes what information will be added to the NR3S Register.
All data processing and sharing will comply with the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Applicants have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner. You can find further information regarding data protection rights, including contact details for our Data Protection Officer and the Information Commissioner on our Data Protection rights information page.
Apply for a new Hackney carriage driver licence
If you wish to become a Hackney carriage driver you need to:
- be at least 18 years of age
- hold a current full UK driving licence and have held this for more than one year
To become a Hackney carriage driver you will need to attend and pass a Taxi general competency course at Peterborough Regional College. You will also need to disclose any past offences and convictions and apply for an enhanced DBS criminal record check certificate.
Once you have successfully completed the course and obtained the enhanced DBS check you will need to apply using the online application for a licence.
Please note: If you already hold a private hire drivers licence go to "Licence type change (private hire to Hackney)" section below.
You will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the online application process.
Please note: Do not apply until you have all the following documents ready to upload.
- Enhanced disclosure certificate - If you are a member of the disclosure update service then you can provide your current enhanced disclosure and reference number in place of the full enhanced disclosure certificate. Self-enrol and apply for an enhanced DBS
- Taxi general competency certificate from Peterborough Regional College
- Medical form signed by a medical practitioner
- Driving Assessment Pass Certificate from an approved provider
- DVLA driving licence (photo card)
- DVLA driving licence check summary and code
- Passport style / size photo for ID badge
- Proof of right to work in UK for example a British passport - A list of acceptable documents has been published by the Home Office, further information can be found on GOV.UK's Right to Work checklist
- If not continuously resident in the UK for the last 5 years a Statement of Good Conduct will need to be uploaded. Further information can be found on GOV.UK's Record checks for overseas applicants
If you are unable to verify your documents with the Post Office, please contact the Licensing Team for further instructions.
The approved Driving Assessment test providers are listed below:
All three providers offer both Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driving Assessment Tests and are not listed in any particular order.
Applicants are responsible for arranging, booking and paying for the test with one of the providers listed below. Pass certificates from other providers will not be accepted. You are also responsible for ensuring you read and understand, the providers test requirements and ensure you bring everything required for the test, e.g. roadworthy licensed vehicle, valid driving licence etc. The providers are duty bound to report to us, any behaviour which may affect an applicant’s ‘fit and proper’ status.
For more information, please read the Hackney carriage policy and byelaws, Hackney carriage vehicle conditions and current taxi fees in our supporting documents.
Renew a Hackney carriage driver licence
If your Hackney carriage driver licence is due to expire in the next 30 days you will need to renew your licence online.
You will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the application process:
- Enhanced disclosure certificate - If you are a member of the disclosure update service then you can provide your current enhanced disclosure and reference number in place of the full enhanced disclosure certificate. Self-enrol and apply for an enhanced DBS check.
- DVLA driving licence (photo card)
- DVLA driving licence check summary and code
- Medical form signed by a medical practitioner
- Proof of right to work in UK for example a British passport - A list of acceptable documents has been published by the Home Office, further information can be found on GOV.UK's Right to Work checklist
If you are unable to verify your documents with the Post Office, please contact the Licensing Team for further instructions.
Please note: Once you have completed your online application keep a note of the reference number, this is your acknowledgement that your application has been sent. Should further information be required then a member of the team will contact you, there is no need to call the licensing team for confirmation. We are experiencing a high volume of calls and your call is likely to delay the processing of applications.
For more information please read the Hackney carriage policy and byelaws, Hackney carriage driver conditions and current taxi fees in our supporting documents.
Apply for a Hackney carriage vehicle licence
If you wish to licence a new Hackney carriage vehicle you will need to complete an online application.
Your vehicle must meet the criteria set out in the 2022 Vehicle Requirements document (opens PDF) and pass a vehicle inspection at our appointed testing station. You will need to bring your vehicle inspection pass sheet with you when you collect your vehicle licence plate.
You will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the application process:
- Vehicle insurance certificate
- V5C Log book
For more information please read the Hackney carriage policy and byelaws, Hackney carriage vehicle conditions and current taxi fees in our supporting documents.
Renew a Hackney carriage vehicle licence
If your Hackney carriage vehicle licence is due to expire in the next 30 days you will need to renew your licence online.
Your vehicle must be less than 15 years old and you will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the application process.
- Vehicle insurance certificate
- V5C Log book
For more information please read the Hackney carriage policy and byelaws, Hackney carriage vehicle conditions and current taxi fees in our supporting documents.
Tax conditionality
The Government is putting in place new tax requirements for applications to certain licences from 4 April 2022. This is supported by a new digital service developed by HMRC. It helps people in the taxi, private hire and scrap metal industries to complete a new tax check.
Most people are registered to pay tax and this is about ensuring everyone pays the tax they should. HMRC is working with industry bodies to make this as straightforward as possible. The check should take a few minutes every few years and is to confirm that someone is appropriately registered for tax.
Changes for new applications
If you are applying for a licence for the first time (or if you previously held a licence but it expired more than one year ago), you will not need to complete the tax check. However, the licensing authority must ensure that you have read the HMRC guidance on what you need to do to be properly registered for tax in the future. You will need to confirm you have done this before the licensing authority can process your application.
Changes for renewal applications
The rules are changing if you’re an individual, company or any type of partnership applying for a licence for a:
- Hackney carriage driver
- Private hire driver
- Private hire vehicle operator
If you make an application on or after 4 April 2022, you will need to complete a tax check if you’re:
- Renewing a licence
- Applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that ceased being valid less than a year ago
- Applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority
You must carry out the tax check yourself. You cannot ask a tax agent or adviser to do this on your behalf.
The tax check will ask questions about how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade.
After you have completed the tax check you will be given a 9-character tax check code.
You will need to give the code on your application to the licensing authority, so they can confirm you have carried out a tax check. The licensing authority will not be able to grant you a licence if you do not provide a valid tax check code with your renewal application.
Licence type change (private hire to Hackney)
If you already hold a private hire drivers licence and wish to become a Hackney Carriage driver you will need to take and pass the Hackney Carriage driving test with one of the council’s approved external providers, then complete an application form and pay online. Please download the form, print, complete, make payment online and then send to us with a copy of your driving assessment pass certificate.
Notify us of a change
If you have recently changed address, sold your vehicle to another taxi driver or replaced your vehicle we will need to vary your licence. Please download the relevant form below, print, complete make payment online and send application form to us.
Hackney carriage byelaws
The Secretary of State has confirmed the byelaws relating to Hackney Carriages licensed by Peterborough City Council will come into force on the 26 April 2018. A copy of the byelaws in full, are available to view below.
The byelaws are also available at the Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1HF.
The byelaws regulate proprietors and drivers of Hackney Carriage vehicles. The byelaws relate to:
- Provisions regulating the manner in which the number of each hackney carriage corresponding with the number of its licence, shall be displayed
- Provision regulating how hackney carriages are to be furnished or provided
- Provisions regulating the conduct of the proprietors and drivers of hackney carriages plying with the district in their several employments, and determining whether such drivers shall wear any and what badges
- Provisions fixing the rates or fares to be paid for hackney carriages within the district and securing the due publication of such fares
- Provision securing the safe custody and re-delivery of any property accidentally left in hackney carriages, and fixing the charges to be made in respect thereof
- Penalties
For information, the byelaws were subject to a consultation process which ran from 24 August 2017 to 21 September 2017 and were adopted by Full Council on 13 December 2017.
For further information on the byelaws, please email licensing@peterborough.gov.uk or telephone 01733 747474 and ask for the licensing team.
Pay for
Please use the links below to order and pay for sundry items and services. No prior application is required. On receipt of your payment and when we have verified your entitlement, a member of our licensing team will contact you to arrange delivery/collection.
Report an accident
If you are a taxi driver and need to report an accident then please click on the following link.
Book a vehicle inspection test
Your taxi or private hire vehicle will need to be tested at our Aragon testing centre to make sure it is safe for the travelling public.
Contact the licensing team
If you require further information or guidance, please contact our licensing team by calling 01733 453491 or by email at licensing@peterborough.gov.uk.