New drivers
New drivers should follow these steps.
Step 1
All new drivers must apply for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
You will need to provide us with the DBS code.
Within 28 days of your DBS application, you must subscribe to the DBS upgrade service, it costs £16 per year.
Darlington Borough Council will check your DBS status electronically every six months.
The initial application must be completed by logging into the DBS website [external link]
Enter the organisation reference DBC123 and password is Darlington
You need to make an appointment for your ID to be verified by Darlington Borough Council.
DBS or right to work ID check appointment
Once your identification has been checked you will need to pay £49.50.
Accessed via ‘View and Prove’ service. The share code requested by the applicant should be an ‘immigration status’ share code. If you do not have a UKVI account to access your eVisa you can create one online (Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK [external link]
You can still apply for your badge while waiting for your DBS certificate.
The documents required to enable us to verify your details are listed here.
You must provide one document from Group 1 and any two additional documents from any group.
Documents must be originals and not photocopies.
Online copies of documents are also not accepted, ie emailed copies of bank statements or scanned documents
Group 1: Primary identity documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | Any current and valid passport. A UK passport can be expired up to a maximum of 6 months |
| e-Visa | Accessed via ‘View and Prove’ service. The share code requested by the applicant should be an ‘immigration status’ share code. If you do not have a UKVI account to access your eVisa you can create one online (Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK) [external link] |
| Biometric residence permit (BRP) | UK. A BRP showing Indefinite Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Enter or No Time Limit can be used up to 18 months past the expiry date of the BRP. BRP holders should be encouraged to create an account and access their eVisa |
| Application Registration Card (ARC) | Issued by the Home Office. Must be checked against the Home Office Employer Checking Service. [external link] |
| Current driving licence photocard - (full or provisional) | Current and valid. Issued by UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA |
| Birth certificate - issued within 12 months of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands - including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces. Must be original birth certificate. Certified copies are a group 2a document. |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
Group 2a: Trusted government documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Current driving licence photocard - (full or provisional) | Current and valid. All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) |
| Current driving licence (full or provisional) - paper version (if issued before March 2000) | Current and valid. UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. For a paper licence to be valid it must be issued before March 2000 and all information, including name and address, must be up to date |
| Birth certificate - issued after time of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Immigration document, visa, or work permit | Issued by a country outside the UK. Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country in which the role is based |
| HM Forces ID card or HM Armed Forces Veteran card | UK |
| Firearms licence | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
Group 2b: Financial and social history documents
| Document | Details | Further details |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage statement | UK | Issued last 12 months |
|
Bank or building society statement/account opening letter, credit card statement |
UK and Channel Islands. (A printed statement endorsed by the bank acceptable) |
Issued last 3 months |
| Bank or building society statement | Countries outside UK | Issued in last 3 months - branch must be in the country they live/work |
| Financial statement, e.g. pension or endowment | UK | Issued last 12 months |
| P45 or P60 statement | Uk and Channel Islands. Cannot be online document | Issued last 12 months |
| Council Tax Statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued last 12 months |
| Letter of sponsorship from future UK employment provider | Valid only for applicants residing outside the UK at the time of application | Must still be valid |
| Utility bill | UK - not mobile telephone bill. Cannot be printed from on online account | Issued last 3 months |
| Benefit statement, e.g. Child Benefit, pension | UK | Issued last 3 months |
| Central/local government, gov agency, or local council document giving entitlement, e.g Department for Work and Pensions, Employment Service, Local Authority | UK and Channel Islands – a letter confirming entitlement to benefits. E.g. Personal Independence Payment (PIP), free school meals, universal credit, asylum support etc | Issued last 12 months |
| HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand letter | UK | Issued last 12 months |
| European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)/Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) | UK | Must still be valid |
| EEA National ID card | Must still be valid | |
| Irish Passport Card | Cannot be used with an Irish passport | Must still be valid |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. Digital PASS cards acceptable where issued by an approved digital PASS provider and the QR code has been used to confirm. | Must still be valid |
| Letter from head teacher, college principal, apprenticeship provider | UK - for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education or on an apprenticeship - only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided | Issued in the last month |
Complete a Child Sex Exploitation course.
You will need to provide us with a certificate.
Register and take the course online [external link].
You will need to take a driver assessment test.
Hartlepool Borough Council is approved to manage and deliver taxi assessments on behalf of Tees Valley local authorities.
More information and details of how to book a test in the guide to your Tees Valley Taxi Assessment [pdf document]
You will need to share your driving licence with us.
View or share your driving licence information [external link]
You will need to download a medical assessment form which needs to be completed and signed by your GP.
Your GP must be one who has knowledge of your medical history.
Download the medical examination certificate [pdf document].
Alternatively we can post this out to you if you email your name and address to taxi [email protected].
When you have completed these and obtained the relevant information you can apply for a licence online.
This must be completed by the applicant applicant’s own GP or a medical practitioner with access to the applicant applicant’s medical history.
The medical certificate will be valid for a period of 6 months after which either a new medical form or letter (from original GP) confirming that there has been no change in the medical fitness of the applicant.
Once the medical is 12 months old a letter will not be accepted and a new medical will be required.
Applicants aged over 45 years must provide evidence of their medical fitness to hold a licence every five years and once they reach the age of 65 years an annual medical will be required.
If a driver has a medical condition that requires notification to the DVLA e.g. sleep apnoea they must also notify the Council in writing at the same time that DVLA is notified.
In addition to the above requirements where a driver suffers from a condition that requires monitoring but would not prevent him/her from driving (s)he is required to provide written confirmation from his GP or consultant, as recommended by the DVLA standards, each year that s/he remains fit to carry out the duties of a driver and/or may be required to submit an annual medical.
Step 2
Make the appropriate application
Documents you are required to upload with your application:
- Driving Licence
- Must have held a full DVLA driving licence for a period of 12 months before an application for the grant of a driver’s licence will be accepted.
- Expired Licences will not be accepted.
- You need to provide a copy of your photo card driving licence. This can be a scanned image or a photograph taken on a phone or tablet.
- Right to work Identity Document
- Recent Photograph
- You can take this on your phone or tablet.
- It needs to be a in the similar format as a passport photo.
- taken within the last 6 months
- clear and in focus
- in colour
- contain no other objects or people
- be taken against a plain light-coloured background
- be in clear contrast to the background
- not have ‘red eye’
- must include your head, shoulders and upper body.
- face forwards and look straight at the camera
- have a plain expression and your mouth closed
- have your eyes open and visible
- not have hair in front of your eyes
- not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
- not have anything covering your face
- Medical Assessment Form
- This needs to be signed and completed by your doctor.
- Driving Assessment Test Certificate
- This needs to be signed and completed by your doctor.
- CSE Awareness Certificate
Hackney carriages are public transport vehicles which are licensed to "ply for hire".
They can:
- be hailed by prospective passengers in the street
- park on a rank to await the approach of passengers
Private hire vehicles (or minicabs) are public transport vehicles.
However, a private hire vehicle cannot ply for hire or stand in a rank.
It must be pre booked with a private hire
operator for example through the operator, usually by telephone.
Dual badge drivers are licensed to drive both types of taxi.
Step 3
Arrange a document check and book a test
We need to check two things,
- your proof of identity to support your DBS check
- evidence of your Right to Work in the UK
For the DBS you need to bring proof of identity documents.
Citizens Advice has a guide to what identity documents are acceptable.
How to prove your right to work in the UK [external link]
Right to work
British drivers can provide a UK passport as proof or a birth certificate including the name of at least one parent plus proof of a valid National Insurance number. (For example a formal document/letter from HMRC not an NI card).
Switzerland and EEA must provide proof of right to work.
Non EU citizens must provide right to work evidence in line with Home Office guidelines.
This is usually a biometric residents permit and a valid passport.
This is checked annually.
Gov.uk prove your right to work [external link].
Knowledge tests are held fortnightly.
You can book a place by calling:
This test includes knowledge of the local geography, driver conduct / conditions, Highway Code and licensing legislation.
The application fee includes one free test. Subsequent tests require a fee each time of £35.
Booking for tests cannot be accepted unless the appropriate fee is paid.
After 6 attempts your application will be rejected and you will need to re-apply.
If an application is pending > 6 months the applicant must provide a new DBS Certificate and a new Medical Assessment or GP letter confirming that there has been no change in the medical fitness of the applicant.
If a test is cancelled < 2 working days days’ notice or is more than 10 minutes late for the test without a reasonable excuse, a further fee shall be required prior to a re test being booked.