- Aim of this page
- Why is this important?
- What’s the criteria for getting a licence?
- Are there different types of taxi licence?
- Will I need a criminal record check to get a licence?
- Do people with convictions get licences?
- What can I do if I’m refused a licence?
- Receiving a criminal record if you already hold a licence
- Getting taxi insurance
- Discuss this with others
- Useful links
- More information
- Get involved
Aim of this page
Providing you can drive, there’s not a huge amount of additional training you’ll need to get started as a taxi driver. Added to this the flexible hours and the ability to earn a reasonable living, and you can see why people with convictions seriously consider this type of work.
The aim of this page is to set out how a criminal record may affect your success in becoming a licensed taxi driver.
Why is this important?
If you’re applying to become a licensed taxi driver you’ll need to apply to the licensing unit of your local council (or Transport for London, TfL, if you want to work in the capital). Councils all have slightly different ways of dealing with the disclosure of a criminal record with some appearing to be more willing to approve applications than others. It’s a good idea to do some research prior to applying as your nearest council may not be the best one to apply to.
As part of the application process, the council will carry out checks to determine whether you have a criminal record and it’s important that you have a good understanding of what you’ll need to disclose, and how to appeal if the council refuse your application.
What’s the criteria for getting a licence?
Each council will have their own licensing criteria but generally you’ll need to:
- Have a full UK or EU driving licence
- Have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
- Be able to get suitable taxi insurance
- Be aged over 18 (21 in some areas).
Are there different types of taxi licence?
There are two types of taxi licence:
- A hackney carriage licence – the vehicle and driver are immediately available for hire and can be hailed on the street
- A private hire vehicle licence – these must be booked in advance through a licensed operator
The licensing criteria and qualifications are broadly very similar for both and your local council will be able to provide you with details of which licence to apply for.
In addition to the above, some councils will require you to hold an additional licence if you wish to undertake any type of school transport contract work.
Will I need a criminal record check to get a licence?
Irrespective of the licence you are applying for, all taxi drivers will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
If you have not been resident in the UK for the previous 5 years, some councils will also require you to have a Certificate of Good Conduct. You can apply for this at the relevant embassy in the UK.
Do people with convictions get licences?
The disclosure of a criminal record shouldn’t automatically exclude you from holding a taxi licence. The aim of the licensing authority is to ensure:
- The person does not pose a threat to the public
- That the public are protected from a dishonest person
- The safeguarding of children or young people.
When considering your criminal record, the licensing authority should look at:
- How relevant your offence is
- How serious the offence was
- The date of the conviction
- The circumstances surrounding the conviction
- Your age at the time of the conviction
- Whether the conviction forms part of a pattern of offending
- Any other relevant factors
The Department of Transport Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Best Practice Guidance states that you are less likely to be granted a licence if you have an unspent conviction relating to dishonesty, violence, a sexual offence or an offence relating to alcohol, drugs or controlled substances. However, it’s important to note that, because it involves an enhanced criminal record check, spent convictions will be considered too.
However, a Freedom of Information request done by the BBC earlier this year revealed that since 2012, three hundred drivers with convictions had been granted taxi licences across six councils in the north-west.
What can I do if I’m refused a licence?
If your application is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision through the licensing authority’s appeals panel.
If the licensing committee uphold the refusal then you can appeal to the Magistrates Court within 21 days although this can be expensive and you may wish to seek legal advice prior to going down this route.
Alternatively you could consider applying to another local council who may be more understanding in the way they treat people with criminal records.
Receiving a criminal record if you already hold a licence
If you already hold a licence and receive a conviction, caution or fixed penalty notice you will need to disclose this to the licensing authority in writing within 7 days. They will consider the seriousness of the offence, any aggravating or mitigating factors and your past driving history and will then decide what, if any, action to take. This may include suspending or revoking your licence.
You will have the right to appeal the decision either through the licensing committee or at the Magistrates Court.
Getting taxi insurance
Anybody who drives a taxi will need specific taxi insurance. Standard car insurance won’t cover you, even if it includes cover for business use. Taxi insurance is likely to be more expensive than ordinary car insurance as many insurers perceive there to be a higher risk of an accident and if you have an unspent conviction, especially if it’s for a motoring offence, then this will add to the expense. You may want to discuss the likely cost of insurance with a specialist broker.
Discuss this with others
Read and share your experiences on our online forum.
Useful links
Below you will find links to useful websites relating to this page. More specific details (including addresses and telephone numbers) of some of the organisations listed below can be found here.
- Disclosure and Barring Service – Responsible for carrying out criminal record checks in England and Wales
- Transport of London – Responsible for the licensing and regulating of taxi’s in London
More information
- For practical information – More information on criminal record checks for employment
- To discuss this issue with others – Read and share your experiences on our online forum
- Questions – If you have any questions about this, you can contact our helpline.
Get involved
Help us to add value to this information. You can:
- Comment on this page (below)
- Send your feedback directly to us
- Discuss your views and experiences with others on our online forum
This page was last fully reviewed and updated in September 2017. If you’ve spotted something that needs updating, please let us know by emailing the details to feedback@unlock.org.uk
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Hello I want to apply for taxi licence I regret my mistake and want to move on so want help that I’ve got dg10 spent 3 half years ago and don’t have any other conviction apart from this do you reckon I can apply for this
Hi Mo
Each Council will have their own way of dealing with the disclosure of a criminal record and it’s therefore difficult to say whether your application for a taxi licence will be successful. As you may be aware, your conviction is still considered unspent and the Department of Transport guidance states that you are less likely to be granted a licence whilst you have an unspent conviction relating to dishonesty, violence, a sexual offence or an offence relating to alcohol, drugs or controlled substances. However, it’s important to note that, because a taxi licence requires an enhanced criminal record check, spent convictions will also be considered too.
It might be worth having an informal chat with your local council to find out what their policy is on the granting of licences to somebody with an unspent motoring conviction.
Best wishes
Debbie
It’s been spent 3 an half years ago
Hi
I am renewing my taxi licence.
My enhanced manual DBS certificate states NONE RECORDED in all 5 sections.
All my previous convictions have been spent and none listed on my certificate.
My council has my previous conviction information and is requesting that I provide them with a declaration confirming all past spent convictions (protected).
Do I have to disclose this information again, even though removed from my certificate?
Hi Ahmed
Now that your convictions have been filtered and removed from your enhanced DBS certificate they are deemed protected. There is no legal requirement for you to disclose any information to the council and they should not be asking you to provide this information.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi last year I got 6 penalty points for driving without insurance, and I admitted my mistake and didn’t appealed or went to court Its been one year, I want to do taxi badge now can I get it or not ?
Hi Muhammad
Driving without insurance on its own is a non-recordable offence and wouldn’t appear on any criminal record check. However, they would still appear on your driving licence and the licensing authority should have guidance as to how they deal with the disclosure of penalty points when making a decision as to whether or not to grant a licence.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi i need a small help from you.i been pass my taxi i did apply for taxi badge but 2 years ago i had a case in court which has been finish before i apply for taxi badge even court early discharge me from this case because of my good habits and this is my life first concivtion of my life.so now when taxi badge people send my disclosure to the police then police write to them my all old records to them.so i would like to know what will happened they will give me badge on not
Hi Sarah
When you apply for your taxi licence the licensing authority will ask you to apply for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This DBS certificate will show all convictions for a minimum of 11 years. The licensing authority will probably want to know more about your criminal record and this will give you the chance to provide the details of your criminal record as well as the factors which led up to it and what you’ve done since you were convicted. You can find further information on disclosing your criminal record at https://unlock.org.uk/guide/disclosing-to-employers/.
The licensing authority will deal with each application on a case by case basis and it’s therefore difficult to say whether your application will be successful or not. As you will see from our information page, if your application is refused, you should be given the opportunity to appeal.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi would I be able to get taxi badge with a common assault , GBH , DR10 and possession of controlled drug all on my record in the past 3 years
Hi AR
Your convictions wouldn’t automatically bar you from getting a taxi licence. As you may be aware, the licensing authority would carry out an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate which would disclose your convictions. Every Council deals with the disclosure of a criminal record slightly differently and it may be worth having an informal chat with your local council to see whether they would grant you a licence prior to submitting your application.
As you may have seen from our information the Department of Transport Guidance states that you are “less likely to be granted a licence if you have an unspent conviction relating to dishonesty, violence, a sexual offence or an offence relating to alcohol, drugs or controlled substances”.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Debbie
I’ve had a private hire license in the past 3 years. The council had granted me a license at the end of 2019. But prior to that matter, I was banned from driving bcs of dr10 while my application was pending. They granted me a license anyway and I was working for couple of years til my license get expired. Now I’ve got refuse for a new license for NOT letting the authority know & I have appealed to the court.
How successful would it be for the judge to reconsider my appeal and grant me a license?
Waiting your reply.
Hi SK
It’s difficult for us to say whether a judge will grant your licence. They will deal with every appeal on a case by case basis taking into consideration the seriousness of the offence you were convicted of, your past driving history and any mitigating factors as to why you didn’t disclose the information to the licensing authority.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a criminal conviction intent to supply a class A controlled drug.
1st April 2015 I was convicted
Now 1st April 2023
Do you think I will be granted my badge ?
Hi Akeem
As you may have seen from the information on our website taxi licence applications will take into consideration both spent and unspent convictions and as part of the application process, local Councils will carry out an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Your conviction from 2015 will still appear on your DBS certificate and would need to be disclosed to the Council.
Just because a conviction will appear on your DBS, doesn’t automatically mean that you won’t get your taxi licence. The Department of Transport Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Best Practice Guidance states that you are less likely to be granted a licence if you have an unspent conviction relating to dishonesty, violence, a sexual offence or an offence relating to alcohol, drugs or controlled substances but each Council will have their own specific way of assessing criminal records.
Before you make your application, it may be worth contacting your local authority to find out more about their particular policies.
Best wishes
Debbie
I have a failing to stop charge on my criminal record which I done 4 years ago and charged for (resisting arrest £200 fine and vandalism) are they a pattern and would they stop me getting my taxi licence I have my hearing this month the first charge was when I was young and daft and second charge was just drunk
Hi looking to get a taxi license
Got 12 month ban 2 year ago cause I had low reading i’ve cannabis in my system would I get a license?
Hi Mat
As part of the taxi licence application process, your local authority carry out an enhanced DBS check – this will disclose your conviction from 2-years ago. It’s then down to the local authority to decide whether to issue you with a licence or not. Each local authority will have their own policies on how they deal with a positive DBS disclosure and I’d recommend contacting them prior to investing any money in the taxi application.
Best wishes
Debbie