Driver Licences
There are a number of distinctions between licences for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Drivers and these will be identified as appropriate. However, many of the requirements for licensing are the same for both driver licences.
Application must be made on the Council’s form and the appropriate fee paid. Where the applicant meets the Council’s criteria for licensing a licence will be issued for a period of 3 years.
The following requirements must be met:
- Applicants must be over 21 years of age;
- Applicants must hold a full UK/European driving licence;
- Applicants must have three years’ experience driving under a full licence;
- Applicants must pass the Driving Standards Agency Practical Driving Test for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles, or the equivalent Council approved assessment. Those that wish to operate a wheelchair accessible vehicle must pass the Enhanced Wheelchair Assessment also; • Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have a right to work; • Applicants must pass the Council’s Knowledge Test;
- Applicants must complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for both grant applications and at each subsequent renewal, electronic applications and updates will be accepted;
- Applicants must demonstrate they are fit to drive by submitting a Chorley Council Group II medical form completed by their GP for both grant applications and at each subsequent renewal, unless over 65 where annual medicals are required;
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are ‘fit and proper’;
- Applicants (including renewals for existing drivers) will be required to undertake safeguarding training.
Applicants must provide all of the supporting documentation for the grant or renewal before the application will be accepted as complete. The only exception to this is where a grant application is made and the applicant must book the Knowledge Test & Safeguarding Training through the Council at the time of presenting the application.
Where in any circumstances, an incomplete driver application has been received, due to the absence of one or more of the pre-requisites above, such as failure to pass the knowledge test or need for further medical information, the application will be rejected. The applicant will be contacted after 2 months and reminded that the outstanding application items must be submitted within the next 28 days. The application will be rejected following a period of 3 months from the date of receipt of the application where those items have not been provided.
The applicant will be notified in writing and will be entitled to a refund of the application fee, minus any costs incurred to the Council, charges from outside agencies and the standard administration fee. The applicant will be responsible for contacting the Council and providing the necessary details for a refund.