Page last updated at 14:22 GMT, Thursday, October 20 2011

Private Hire Driver's Licences

New applications and renewals

To make an application to become a private hire driver in Eastleigh Borough you will need to make an appointment with the Licensing Team at the Civic Offices, Eastleigh.

You will need to bring the following items with you to the appointment:

• A full current driving licence that has been valid for two years prior to the date of application.  If new style, plastic card and paper counterpart;
• Application Form signed by the operator you are going to work for - Download the Application Form;
• Produce, for examination, a current certificate of insurance covering "for hire and reward" with your name on it;
• Proof of identification: Passport, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, and Utility Bill showing current address;
• National Insurance number proof, card or correspondence;
• Two colour passport size photographs;
• Application fee £73.00 (cash or cheque payable to Eastleigh Borough Council);
• CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check fee £44.00 (cash or cheque payable to Eastleigh Borough Council); 
• Medical form completed by doctor (required for all new applications and every 5 years thereafter).  On attaining 65 years of age a medical certificate will be required every year - Download the Medical form and screening notes
• All new applicants to be private hire drivers must take and pass the EBC "knowledge test".  The first test fee is included in the initial application, any retakes cost £15.00 each; and
• All new applicants to provide the name and address of  two referees as to their character, suitability, etc

It will take in the region of 6 to 8 weeks to obtain a licence depending mainly on the response time for vetting by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

You can hold both hackney carriage and private hire driver's licences at the same time but the costs would be doubled.

Criminal or driving convictions will affect an application, however, guidelines apply and each case is dealt with on its merits (see Guidance notes and conditions below).