Apply for a taxi or private hire licence

We are responsible for making sure that the taxi and private hire trade in St Helens is operated in a professional manner and that the correct standards of safety and comfort are satisfied by all licensed drivers.

There are specific criteria that you must meet before a licence can be granted:

• A satisfactory DBS certificate
• A satisfactory group 2 medical (PDF, 578 KB)(opens new window)
• A satisfactory DVLA mandate
• A satisfactory NR3 check (PDF, 120 KB)(opens new window)
• Passed the essential training

Please read our taxi licensing policy (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window) before making your application.

Pre-application

Before you can obtain a Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Drivers Licence, you must complete these requirements.

Step 1: Submit an application for an Enhanced DBS Check

Note: Our DBS checks are completed via an online portal provided by Zellis.

Please email taxilicensing@sthelens.gov.uk and provide the following information to allow us to start your DBS check:

• Title
• Forename
• Middle names (if any)
• Surname
• Email address
• Mobile number
• Details of any former name(s) and the dates they were last used.
• Details of your last 5 years of address history and the dates you resided at them.

You will then receive information via email and text message from Zellis, our DBS provider, containing a link to the DBS portal along with a password to access your account. Once you have logged in, you will need to complete the remaining sections of the DBS form and complete the digital ID verification.

Once you have completed your DBS application and digital ID verification you will be contacted to make payment to cover the cost of your DBS check, the Essential Training (step 2), and the £25.00 application fee (step 3).

What documentation do I need to provide if I have been known by another name?

If you have previously been known by another name you will have to provide further documentation before your DBS application can be progressed, these being:

• Marriage certificate
• Change of name deed poll

What if I don't have 5 continuous years of address history in the UK?

If you don't have 5 years of continuous address history in the UK then a certificate of good character will be required from the relevant embassy before your DBS application can be progressed (in English).

What if I already have a DBS certificate that is registered with the DBS Update Service?

If you already have a DBS certificate that is registered with this DBS update service you will be required to produce the original certificate to us so we can verify that it is the correct level of check. You will still be required to provide certain details via Zellis in order for us to verify your DBS subscription.

Note: All documents (including your DVLA driving licence) must be in your current address. These are the requirements of the DBS and not the Council. We are unable to process your DBS application without these.

DBS certificates are valid for a period of 2 months from the date that they're issued.

Step 2: Complete the Essential Training

At the same time we contact you to make payment for your DBS application (following the completion of step 1) you will be booked onto the essential training, which is comprised of a safeguarding element, and a disability awareness element. Payment will be taken for the essential training at the same time as the DBS.

Step 3: Submit an application for your licence

Once you have successfully completed your DBS application and have booked onto the Essential Training, you can now submit your application for a Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Drivers Licence. We will email you with the link to the online application form to apply. When submitting your application, you must also provide the following:

• DVLA driving licence (held for at least 12 months (both sides))
• A valid UK or Irish passport. For applicants who are not UK nationals by birth or by naturalisation must also produce a Home Office check code in order for us to check your right to work status, along with your passport.
• National insurance number (either the number card, official national insurance number letter from the DWP or the national insurance letter obtainable from the government gateway website)
• DVLA mandate check code
• HMRC tax check code (from 4 April 2022 if applicable). Please read the 'tax checks' section for full information.

Please note that upon submission of your application you will be contacted to make a payment of £25.00 (as part of step 1) which enables us to check your application. This fee is non-refundable. You must ensure that you check your application and supporting documents carefully, prior to submission, or you will be required to submit a further new application.

The £25.00 fee is per application submitted and will be deducted from the payment for your licence at point of issue (excluding any previous payments made for incorrect submissions).

Step 4: Obtain a Group 2 Medical Assessment from your G.P. or Medical Practitioner who has access to your medical records.

The Group 2 Medical Assessment form which you must take to your appointment with your G.P. or Medical Practitioner can be downloaded here. (PDF, 578 KB)

Medical assessments are valid for a period of 2 months from the date they're completed. Only pages 1 and 2 of the medical assessment need to be returned to us.

Step 5: Once you have received your DBS certificate you must register with the DBS Update Service.

You must retain proof of your subscription to the DBS update service, and provide a copy of this to us by emailing taxilicensing@sthelens.gov.uk

Step 6: Book an appointment

Once you have registered with the DBS update service, obtained a group 2 medical assessment, completed the essential training, and submitted your application for a Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Drivers Licence you must contact us by email at taxilicensing@sthelens.gov.uk, providing your full name and address to book an appointment to submit the following documentation:

• DBS certificate
• Completed group 2 medical assessment
• DVLA licence
• Passport
• Essential training certificate
• Recent colour passport-sized photograph (The photograph must include your head & shoulders and be taken with a white/pale background).

The appointment will take place at the following address: Taxi Licensing, St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP.

Once we have received this documentation from you we will contact you to make the final payment for your licence.

Step 7: Collect your licence

Once you have completed steps 1 to 6 you will receive your licence within 5 working days (providing there are no instances that would trigger a referral to the Licensing & Environmental Protection Committee in line with our policies).

Your licence can be collected from St Helens Town Hall Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP (we will advise you when your licence can be collected), or you can choose to have your licence posted to you via recorded delivery (additional charges will apply).