Private hire driver
Our licensing service is delivered by Peterborough City Council.
To drive a private hire vehicle licensed in the Rutland area you must hold a private hire drivers licence issued by us. This does not authorise you to drive hackney carriage vehicles or vehicles licensed outside the Rutland area.
Drivers are issued with a badge that must be worn at all times when carrying out their duties. We have a responsibility to ensure that drivers of private hire vehicles are fit and proper persons to hold their licence. Therefore we only issue licences after all the necessary checks have been made and validated.
Apply for a new private hire driver's licence
To become a private hire 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
- be able to demonstrate you have the right to work in the UK
To become a private hire driver you will need to make payment online and submit your application by email to rcclicensing@peterborough.gov.uk and attach copies of:
- completed application form
- DVLA driving licence (photo card)
- DVLA driving licence check code (see application form)
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- If not continuously resident in the UK for the last 5 years, you'll also need to send a Statement of Good Conduct - find out more about record checks for overseas applicants on GOV.UK
- medical certificate completed by a doctor
- proof of right to work in UK for example a British passport - a list of acceptable documents has been published by the Home Office, Right to Work checklist. You can also provide the nine digit right to work code issued by the Home Office
- passport-style photo for your ID badge (jpeg format if possible)
When we receive your application, we'll contact you to arrange an appointment to take a suitability test - bring your original documents to the appointment as we need to see them before we can proceed with your application.
Suitability test
The suitability test includes:
- reading - you'll be asked to read a short paragraph of text on disability awareness
- writing - you'll be asked to write out three receipts for mock journeys to addresses on this list
- mathematics - you'll be asked to calculate the change due in some mock journey scenarios
- you will also be tested on your Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) awareness
Medical examinations
All applicants must have a medical examination as part of their initial application. Our licencing officer will give you a medical form to be completed by a doctor - you can choose which doctor. You are responsible for any fees charged.
If you are issued a licence, you'll need to have a medical if you're aged:
- 45 to 64 - every five years
- 65 and over - annually
We'll send you reminders.
Decisions: new and renewal applications
Each application will be treated on its own merits.
Our main priority is public safety - we will use the information available to test your honesty, integrity and character to determine if you are fit and proper to hold a licence.
If we have information that may indicate you are not fit and proper, for example, you have a relevant caution, conviction or driving offence, then this will be taken into consideration when determining your application.
Decisions: current licences
If we receive information that causes us concerns about a licence holder's behaviour, or if we have reason to believe a person may no longer be deemed fit and proper to hold a licence, the licence will be reviewed.
Granting a licence
Once we have received all the necessary documentation and have determined that you are fit and proper a licence will be granted. Once granted your licence will be produced and sent out in the post, we aim to do this within 7 days of the licence being granted.
Refusal to grant a licence
A driver has the right to appeal, this right of appeal is to the Magistrates Court, which must be lodged at the court within 21 calendar days of being notified of the decision not to grant the licence.
Apply to renew private hire driver’s licence
Please allow plenty of time when applying to renew a licence
We cannot accept renewal applications after your licence has expired, you will be asked to submit an application for a new licence and will not be able to drive until the new application has been processed.
To renew a private hire driver licence you will need to make payment online and submit your application by email to rcclicensing@peterborough.gov.uk - attach copies of:
- completed application form
- DVLA driving licence (photo card)
- DVLA driving licence check code (see application form)
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- If not continuously resident in the UK for the last 5 years, you'll also need to send a Statement of Good Conduct - find out more about record checks for overseas applicants on GOV.UK
- medical certificate completed by a doctor
- proof of right to work in UK for example a British passport - a list of acceptable documents has been published by the Home Office, Right to Work checklist. You can also provide the nine digit right to work code issued by the Home Office
- passport-style photo for your ID badge (jpeg format if possible)
- please provide a Tax Conditionality Code
After we receive your valid application we aim to process your application within 10 working days. If we need any more information, we'll contact you.
Decisions: renewal applications
If we receive information during the renewal process which causes us concerns about a licence holder's behaviour, or if we have reason to believe a person may no longer be deemed fit and proper to hold a licence, this will be considered in the renewal process.
Refusal to grant a renewal application
A driver has the right to appeal, this right of appeal is to the Magistrates Court, which must be lodged at the court within 21 calendar days of being notified of the decision not to grant the licence.
It is an offence to deliberately make a false statement or not give all relevant information on the application - punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £1,000.
Recording refusals, Revocations and Suspensions
If you are applying for a license, it's important that you know about our responsibilities in relation to the National Register of Taxi and Private Hire licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S).