Step 1 – Read the new driver guidance

Private hire driver

A private hire driver can only drive a licensed private hire vehicle. A private hire vehicle can only be used for journeys  pre-booked through the private hire operator. The operator, vehicle and driver licence must be issued by the same authority. You will need to provide the name of the operator you will be working for in your application; the operator must be licensed by Stroud District Council. If you are setting up your own business, you will need to have an operating address in Stroud District and you will also need to apply for vehicle and operator licences. You can apply to us for a private hire only driver licence.

Hackney carriage driver

A hackney carriage driver can take immediate hires from taxi ranks within Stroud district or can be pre-booked through the driver. The driver and vehicle licence must be issued by the same authority. There is no requirement for an operator licence. You will need to pass a knowledge test of the district to become a hackney carriage driver.   You can apply to us for a dual hackney carriage and private hire driver licence, this will allow you to drive both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles licensed by us. If you are driving a private hire vehicle the bookings will need to be pre-booked through a private hire operator.

Uber

Do not apply to Stroud District Council if your intention is to work for Uber. If you want to work for Uber, you must apply to a Council where Uber hold an Operator Licence. Uber do not hold an Operator Licence with Stroud District Council. Neighbouring Councils where Uber do have an Operator licence are Gloucester City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Cheltenham Borough Council.

General guidance

• Age - You must be over 18 years old and held a full DVLA driving licence for at least 12 months
• Criminal and driving convictions – We will check your DVLA record and your criminal convictions record. Your application may be refused if you do not meet our convictions policy. See our relevance of convictions in our  Common Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire Licensing in Gloucestershire
• Persons who have lived outside of the UK - If you have lived outside of England, Wales, or the Republic of Ireland, for more than 6 months, you will need to provide extra documentation so that we can check to see if you have any convictions in another Country.
• Right to licence – You will need to provide documentation that shows you have the right to work in the UK – See here for more information
• Register of revocations, suspensions and refusals – we will check the national register to establish whether you have had a licence revoked, suspended or refused by another authority. For more information please click here.
• Tax check – you need to be aware of your tax responsibilities. Tax responsibilities guidance When making a new application to us you will need to provide a tax check code if you are already licensed elsewhere, or if you had a licence less than 12 months ago.
• English Proficiency - you will need to provide certification to demonstrate English Proficiency. Acceptable qualifications may include a GCSE (or equivalent) in a subject such as English language or literature, a degree in a subject containing substantial English content, or an NVQ or BTEC in a subject that requires its students to communicate well in English. If you are unable to provide an appropriate education certificate you must pass an English Proficiency Test through an approved assessor.
• Enhanced DBS Certificate – you will need to provide an enhanced DBS Certificate so we can check your criminal record. If you already have an Enhanced DBS Certificate for taxi or private hire work, and you are on the DBS update Service, we can accept this Certificate. (We cannot accept enhanced DBS Certificates for other occupations such as home to school transport or other child/adult care occupations). If you do not have the appropriate Enhanced DBS Certificate you will need to make a new enhanced DBS application through Stroud District Council  See here for more information
• Stroud District Council Policies – you can see all our taxi and private hire policies here
• Making an application - You should make your application using the steps on our webpage. This will start with you completing the online forms and uploading initial documents.  We then will undertake DVLA, Criminal Convictions and right to work checks. We recommend that you do not continue with any of the next steps until these initial checks are complete.
• Summary of documents you will need to provide during your application process. Any costs for the certificates must be paid by you to the relevant provider.
• •    DVLA licence and DVLA share code
  •    Head and shoulders electronic photo
  •    Enhanced DBS Certificate 
  •    Right to work documentation
  •    English Proficiency certification
  •    Driver Assessment Certificate
  •    Medical Certificate
  •    Safeguarding and Equalities Training Certificate
• Payment – you will make an initial payment of £61.50 through the online form. This payment will cover the cost of an Enhanced DBs application and is non-refundable. At the end of the application process you will pay the licence fee to complete your application See list of fees and charges here