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Taxi licences - private hire and hackney carriage
There are two types of taxi licence: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire. We licence Hackney Carriage vehicles, Private Hire vehicles, their drivers and operators.
Applications for new/renewal driver and vehicle licences are now carried out online.
We will soon be rolling out online applications for other taxi licences. In the meantime please click on the link below and download the forms.
Appointments for applications
Taxi application appointments are only available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A small number of appointments will be available on a Friday for emergencies only. Emergencies are defined as replacements for lost or damaged badges/plates and applications in connection with an insurance claim following a vehicle accident.
Appointments for new or renewal badge/plates will be not classed as an emergency and will be given the next standard available date which may be after a weekend. Please ensure that you book your appointment with our customer services team well in advance of your expiry date. We recommend you book two weeks in advance.
Key documents for applicants
Applicants should download the following key documents before making an application for a taxi driver licence:
Download the criminal convictions policy
Download the Statutory Declaration form
Download the medical assessment form
Driver knowledge test
We're now asking all applicants to carry out a simple knowledge test which covers criteria such as numeracy, safeguarding, highway code, policies, local geographical knowledge, and disability awareness. It is a mix of multiple-choice, true/false and fee-text answers and include words and pictures.
You can attempt to pass the test as many times as possible, though you do have to pay again if you fail.
All new applicants have to pass the test before a licence is granted. All existing licensed drivers must pass the test by end of October 2019. You only have to pass the test once, unless your license lapses and you have to reapply.
The test is carried out on a computer at our main offices in Workington, Allerdale House. You will get an email the next day with the result. The licensing department will be informed if you are successful in passing the test.
If you have special requirements or feel you will need assistance to complete the test, please contact the licensing department at your earliest convenience to help us make the necessary arrangements.
There is a fee of £48 (inclusinve of VAT) for the knowledge test which is payable when you book the test online.
Driving assessment
All hackney carriage and private hire driver licences will be issued on the following terms:
- All applicants for the grant of a new hackney carriage or private hire drivers licence must pass the driving assessment. Any licensed drivers appearing before the Licensing Panel with repeated traffic offences may be required to pass the relevant assessment selected.
- Existing drivers granted a licence after September 2016 who did not pass a Driving Standards Agency test must pass the new assessment by 15 January 2019. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of your licence.
- You do not have to take the driving assessment (exemptions) if you are a driving instructor, driving examiner, or hold driving categories D and D1 together with a driver qualification card which is valid for five years and shows that 35 hours of approved training courses has been completed. Evidence is required for all exemptions.
- Applications that do not comply with the terms and conditions may be considered by the Licensing Panel and the fee may not be refundable. If you are unsure if your application will be accepted on a matter of policy then please
How to arrange the driving assessment?
The assessments are carried out by Green Penny and you can book via their website. All assessments will be carried out in the Allerdale area.
Table of Fares
| DISTANCE (Tariff 1) | Tariff |
|---|---|
| If the distance does not exceed 1.6 kilometre (1 mile) for the whole distance | 320 pence |
| If the distance exceeds 1.6 kilometre (1 mile) for the first kilometre (1 mile) | 320 pence |
| For each subsequent 0.32 (1/5th of a mile) or uncompleted part thereof | 45 pence |
| WAITING TIME | * |
| For each period of three minutes or uncompleted part thereof | 45 pence |
| EXTRA CHARGES | * |
| (Tariff 2) For hiring commenced between Midnight and 6.00 a.m. | PLUS 50% OF TARIFF 1 |
| (Tariff 3) All day on Bank and Public Holidays including Easter Sunday, Boxing Day and any Bank Holidays given in lieu of Boxing Day and to 4.00 a.m. on the day following those listed above. Hirings commenced between 6.00 p.m. and Midnight on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve | PLUS 75% OF TARIFF 1 |
| Tariff 4) Christmas Day and New Years Day | PLUS 100% OF TARIFF 1 |
| For each article of luggage conveyed outside the passenger compartment or the carriage for the whole distance | 20 pence |
| For each person in excess of two | 50 pence |
| Fouling Charge | £50 |
| The above rates of fare are applicable to: | * |
| 1. Journeys taken entirely within the Borough of Allerdale. | * |
| 2. Journeys ending outside the Borough of Allerdale where no fare or rate is agreed in advance of such journeys between the hirer and the driver. | None |
