Taxi and private hire training overview

We provide training and tests for the taxi and private hire sector to keep those working in the sector up to date with continuous professional development and fully aware of their statutory roles and responsibilities.

There are two elements to the training. Both of these are mandatory for all new drivers with Cheltenham Borough Council:

safeguarding training for any taxi or private hire driver to attend
local knowledge test for Cheltenham licence holders/applicants only

Book your training online

Topics covered

Safeguarding training

Safeguarding awareness and responsibilities
Equalities awareness and responsibilities
Customer care
Law and conditions of licence and rank etiquette
Practical disability awareness training

The training session takes place at the Municipal Offices (Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 9SA) and is approximately two and a half hours long.

A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees.

Local knowledge test (Cheltenham applicants only)

Before you can book to sit our local knowledge test, you will need to make a driver licence application.

Local knowledge test with questions on law, policy and local geographical locations

The test takes place at the Municipal Offices (Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 9SA) and takes approximately one and a half hours.

Training dates

Please be aware that enrolment closes for each course three working days before the date it is due to take place. If you are unable to attend your training session please provide written notice by emailing licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk. Failure to provide written notice at least 24 hours prior to your training session will lead to you being recharged in order to book your new training date. We are only able to accept bookings for Cheltenham Borough Council courses listed below.

Important note about booking confirmation

Please note if you do not have confirmation of your booking, you will not be accepted for a session. If you arrive on the day without having received confirmation from us beforehand you will not be permitted to attend the session.

Safeguarding

Cheltenham Municipal Offices

18 June 2026, 10.30am
16 July 2026, 10.30am
13 August 2026, 10.30am

Local knowledge test

20 May 2026, 11am
17 June 2026, 11am

Fees

Safeguarding only - £44.86 per delegate
Both local knowledge and safeguarding sessions - £88.59 per delegate
Local knowledge test resit - £44.86 per delegate

Cheltenham private hire drivers who have already attended the training day but would like to upgrade to a hackney carriage drivers licence will need to pay the £40 fee to sit the hackney carriage local knowledge test.

Booking and joining instructions

To attend our safeguarding course you will need to book your taxi licensing training online.

Book online

As spaces are limited, we advise that you complete your booking as far in advance as possible.

Please note that you must confirm and pay for your booking no later than 12 noon, 2 working days prior to the training or test date. Late bookings will not be accepted. For example, if the session is scheduled for Thursday, your booking must be confirmed and paid for no later than noon on the Tuesday of that week.

PDF Icon Knowledge test information - pdf - 242 Kb