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Read our Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy and guidance notes for new drivers before you make your application to make sure you meet the requirements.

Fill in an application form - either download it from the website or email taxis@crawley.gov.uk to request a form.

You must share any information that may affect your application, such as medical matters, convictions or formal investigations. This may result in your case being referred for further consideration by a more senior officer. You will be informed of this as early in the process as possible. In the case of medical matters, these will be referred to our nominated medical adviser for comment before a case can be considered. You may be required to pay additional fees as a result.

We will contact you to pay the required fee and to make an appointment to progress your application.  Without payment, your application cannot proceed.

Send your completed application form, supporting documents and a colour passport photograph of yourself which shows a true likeness to taxis@crawley.gov.uk. The photograph is required for council records and for any licence issued.

We will email you with your one hour appointment for a face-to-face meeting with our Taxi Licencing team. You must confirm your attendance by replying to the email.

For your appointment you will need to bring:

• your passport (including visa documentation if appropriate)
• your UK driving licence (photographic) with your current residential address on
• proof of National Insurance (NI) details in the form of a bill, payslip or other, or a letter from HMRC to confirm your NI details (not a NI card)
• a current utility bill for your current address which is no more than four months old
• proof of your Right to Work – including a Right to Work code from the Home Office
• proof of an English language qualification to the required standard
• details of your DBS update registration if already registered following a check made for a similar role such as a taxi or private hire driver, or school run check
• certificate of good conduct from your Embassy if you have lived outside of the UK for any part of the last five years
• a method of payment for the remaining application fees, where applicable. See guidance notes for current fees

You will need to complete various data checks including driving licence check, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a National Taxi Database check. We may share this information with other council departments or our partners, as required, and make enquiries with them in connection with your application. 

We will carry out a new Enhanced DBS check if  you are not appropriately registered with the DBS Update Service or if this has lapsed.

Information about the knowledge test will also be provided at this stage.

You will  complete the following tests and training and provide proof of passing when requested: 

• advanced driving test
• safeguarding for taxi drivers
• wheelchair accessibility training
• disability awareness training
• knowledge test
• Group II Medical Report confirming medical fitness to this standard by your own doctor (GP)

Applicants without a formal English language qualification will be interviewed by a Licensing Officer to establish communication skills.

Find out more about tests and training in the guidance notes for new drivers and Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.

Once all stages of the process are complete, your case is passed to the Licensing Manager for consideration. If all conditions are met, your licence will be issued. This is usually a three year licence unless otherwise stated, for example a time limited licence due to visa duration or medical reasons.