Have you got the documents you need to pass a police taxi driver check? If you want to drive a taxi or private hire car in the UK, you need a licence from the local authority.
But during recent checks, the police caught numerous drivers who weren’t complying with the law. Make sure you’re up to date with taxi and private hire car licence rules in the West Midlands.
Why You Need a Taxi or Private Hire Licence in the UK
Licences make sure that drivers are fit and well to be on the road, don’t pose a safety risk to their passengers or other road users, and that they are who they say they are. If you don’t have the right licence, you shouldn’t be picking up passengers – and the rules on taxi licensing are taken very seriously. If you drive a taxi or private hire car without the correct licence, you could face prosecution.
The police regularly carry out random checks on private hire cars and inspect taxi driver licences. Earlier this year, Warwickshire Police teamed up with the City of Wolverhampton Council’s taxi compliance officers to do just that, checking taxi driver licences and vehicles in Leamington and Warwick. Out of 40 taxi drivers, 7 were issued with formal warnings for infringements, and one taxi driver was suspended.
And you also need to keep your vehicle in good shape. During the Warwickshire taxi spot checks, several drivers were given advice about worn tyres, which were below the legal limit.
Meeting Taxi Driver Standards in Wolverhampton
Checks on hackney carriages and private hire cars can happen at any time. Make sure you’ve got a valid taxi or private hire licence from your local authority, and stay up to date with the local regulations.
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s taxi and private hire car rules changed on 1st August 2024, and you’ve got to meet stricter conditions. For example, you should:
- Hold a valid DBS check
- Wear photo ID and display your valid taxi or private hire licence
- Display Wolverhampton Council’s pre-booked only sign on private hire cars
- Taxis should have a taxi light
- Display the Council-issued private hire licence plate
- Complete a walkaround check of your vehicle daily
We’ve given an indication of the rules here to point you in the right direction, but the full list is more detailed, so check Wolverhampton Council’s private hire vehicle guidelines carefully. If you’re a taxi driver elsewhere in the West Midlands, check your local authority’s website for all the details on driver licensing.
How to Get a Private Hire or Taxi Licence in the West Midlands
Don’t try to drive a taxi without the correct documentation – local authorities rightly take driver licensing seriously. But the exact rules on getting a taxi or private hire licence depend on where you live and work.
You’ve got to meet your local council’s taxi driver requirements as well as national eligibility standards. If you’re a taxi driver licence in Birmingham, you will need to apply to Birmingham City Council. And if you need a private hire licence in Wolverhampton, you can find out how to apply to the City of Wolverhampton Council here.
What Licence Do Uber Drivers Need in the West Midlands?
But what if you don’t drive a traditional taxi or minicab? In fact, you still need to get a local taxi license to be an Uber driver. You can find out more about becoming an Uber driver in Birmingham here in our update.
Do I Need a Valid Driver Medical to Get a Taxi Licence?
Some standards are the same across different local authorities though. To get your hackney carriage licence, private hire car licence or Uber licence in the West Midlands, you will need a driver medical. Contact My Driver Medical in Birmingham to book your taxi driver medical. We offer short notice and last minute driver medicals as well as advance bookings, so you can get your licence application or renewal started ASAP.