Any person who wishes to work as a Private Hire Driver is required by law to hold a licence issued by a Licensing Authority. Wirral Council is the Licensing Authority in relation to any person wishing to hold a licence in Wirral.
Grant of New Private Hire Driver Licences
Applicants must satisfy the Licensing Authority that they are a fit and proper person to hold a licence and they will undergo a number of checks and assessments to assist the Licensing Authority to determine whether they are a fit and proper person to be granted a licence.
Before a licence can be granted, the following pre-requisites must be completed or evidence provided to the Licensing Authority.
- VRQ Qualification Certificate
- Knowledge Test pass
- English Language Skills Test (oral and written)
- Safeguarding Training
- DVLA Driving Licence
- Enhanced DBS Certificate – dated no more than two months before your licence is issued
- DVLA Group 2 Medical – dated no more than two months before your licence is issued
- Licence Fee
Please note: If a person makes an application for a private hire driver licence to permit them to transport children to and from home and an educational establishment under a contract issued by Wirral Council, such persons must complete the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) instead of the VRQ.
View further information about all of the above within the New Driver Application Pack below.
Wirral Council has a Statement of Policy and Guidelines relating to the Relevance of Convictions when considering applications for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licences. This policy is used to assist both applicants and the Licensing Authority in relation to the submission and determination of applications. All applicants should read this policy before applying for a private hire driver licence. The policy is included as part of the New Driver Application Pack and is also contained in the Statement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (see below)
After reading the above policy applicants should download the New Driver Application Pack below, which contains information on the application process as well as the Application Form.
The PDF file below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.
The Licensing Authority deal with applications during face-to-face pre-booked appointments only, where applicants are required to provide original documentation. Information on how to book an appointment is contained in the New Driver Application Pack.
Renewal of Existing Private Hire Driver Licences
If you are an existing private hire driver and your licence is due for renewal please note that the Licensing Authority will post your renewal application form to your address approximately 2 months prior to the expiry of your licence.
The renewal notice will contain information to assist you in the renewal process, including advice on how to make an appointment to renew your licence.
If you require any further information or guidance on any licensing matter please email taxilicensing@wirral.gov.uk.
Fees
A list of fees is included in the policy document below.
Statement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy
Wirral Council has a policy which is intended to advise and assist applicants and licence holders on the law relating to the operation of hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles and to the administrative procedures involved in applying for and renewing licences.
Contained within the overall policy is the used to assist the Policy relating to the conduct of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licence Holders. This policy is used by the Licensing Authority in determining if current licence holders remain fit and proper to hold a private hire driver licence. All new applicants are made aware of this policy but it is recommended that licence holders refresh their knowledge of the policy on a regular basis.
The PDF file below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.