New driver application – what to do next

Thank you for submitting your application online.  Please carefully read this page with instructions on what you should do now your application has been submitted. The instructions below apply equally to hackney carriage and private hire driver licence applications.

Fitness criteria

So that we can decide if you are a fit and proper person to be issued with a driver’s licence, you will need give us supporting documents. All these documents/assessments are mandatory.

Important - arranging your medical assessment

Once you have passed your local knowledge test, it can take at least 6 to 8 weeks to process your application. This is largely due to the time it can take for your criminal disclosure certificate to be processed and returned. You do not have to wait for your criminal disclosure certificate to be returned before you arrange to have your medical assessment done. While you wait for your criminal disclosure certificate to be returned, we advise you to have your medical done to avoid undue delay in processing your application.


Application documents

DVLA driving licence

DVLA driving licence information
Summary You can submit this electronically to us. It is not necessary to see a licensing officer.
Details We need to see a copy of both sides of your DVLA driving licence.  You can submit these electronically either by uploading them as part of the online form or by email to [email protected]. We will accept a scan or photo.

Medical report

Medical report information
Summary Download the medical report form. You can submit this electronically to us. It is not necessary to see a licensing officer.
Details

You need to arrange to get your medical assessment done by a medical doctor who has access to your medical history or a medical based on a ‘summary of medical records’ from a suitably qualified medical practitioner.

This form can be submitted electronically either by uploading it as part of the online form, by email to [email protected] or by posting it to us FAO Licensing at the Municipal Offices. We will accept a scan or photo.

Notes Your medical report form is only valid for a maximum of 3 months so if you do not complete your application in this time period you will be required to submit a new medical report form

Enhanced DBS Check

Enhanced DBS check information
Summary

You can submit your required ID documents electronically to us.

We will contact you with instructions on how to complete your enhanced DBS.

We will arrange an appointment to verify your documents.

You will be required to also register for the DBS update service. You will need your certificate number. You must register for the update service within 30 days of the certificate being issued.

Details

You will need to provide an enhanced criminal disclosure certificate issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). You cannot apply for these online without a reference or link from us.

We will contact you to advise how you can apply for your enhanced DBS and pay the fee. We will require you to send us your required ID documents either by uploading these as part of the online form or by email to [email protected]. We will accept a scan or photo. We will arrange an appointment to verify your identity and documents.

Notes
  • Your disclosure and barring certificate is only valid for a maximum of 3 months so if you do not complete your application in this time period you will be required to submit a new enhanced DBS application.
  • You can extend this period by subscribing to the DBS’ update service

Evidence of your right to work/remain in the UK

Evidence of your right to work/remain in the UK information
Summary

You can submit your approved documents electronically to us.

We will arrange an appointment to verify your documents.

Details

You must provide evidence of your right to work/remain in the UK, from the approved documents. This is a requirement for all applicants irrespective of when and where you were born or your nationality.

You can submit these electronically either by uploading it as part of the online form or by email to [email protected]. We will accept a scan or photo.

We will arrange an appointment to verify your identity and documents.

Photograph

Photograph information
Summary You can submit this electronically to us.  It is not necessary to see a licensing officer.
Details

We will need one passport sized photograph of you. This can be a digital photo taken e.g. on a smartphone. You can submit this to us electronically either by uploading it as part of the online form or by email to [email protected].

The photograph must be clear, light and show your entire face to shoulders, without anything in the background.

Knowledge test and safeguarding training

Knowledge test and safeguarding training information
Summary You can book your knowledge test over the phone or by emailing us.  It is not necessary to see a licensing officer.
Details

You will need to pass a knowledge test and attend safeguarding training. The test will assess your knowledge on a range of relevant subjects such as geographical knowledge, law and conditions, basic numeracy and safeguarding.

We hold our safeguarding training and knowledge test once a month. Details of provisional dates are available on our training pages.

Now that you have submitted your application, you can book to sit the training at any time when you feel ready. To book, please contact us at [email protected].

We will supply you with basic information when you book to sit the test.  You will be expected to have a sound geographical knowledge of Cheltenham (places of interest, schools, hotels, night-time economy venues).

Driving assessment

Driving assessment information
Summary

You can book your driving assessment online

You can submit your pass certificate electronically to us. It is not necessary to see a licensing officer.

Details

You can book your driving assessment at any time.

You will be issued with a pass certificate that you will need to send to us.

You can submit this electronically either by uploading it as part of the online form or by email to [email protected]. We will accept a scan or photo of the certificate.

Evidence of your English language proficiency

Evidence of your English language proficiency information
Details

In some cases we may require you to carry out an English language proficiency assessment.

Some applicants may not be required to take the English proficiency test. This is the case if they can demonstrate their ability to communicate in English by providing an appropriate educational certificate for a qualification related to English. Acceptable qualifications may include a GCSE (or equivalent) in a subject such as English language or literature, a degree in a subject containing substantial English content, or an NVQ or BTEC in a subject that requires its students to communicate well in English. You can submit your appropriate qualification electronically either by uploading it as part of the online form or by email to [email protected]. We will accept a scan or photo of the certificate.

If applicants are unable to provide such a certificate, or if the licensing officer is not satisfied that the certificates provided sufficiently demonstrate the applicant’s ability to communicate in English, the applicant will need to pass the English proficiency test.

Certificate of good character

Certificate of good character information
Details

Where any applicant has been resident abroad at any time from the age of 18 prior to an application they must provide a certificate of good conduct, a criminal record check or similar document from each and every country within which they have been resident.

Residency for these purposes is considered by this licensing authority as where the person has lived in a country for longer than 6 months in a given calendar year. Where this certificate has been produced in a non-English language, the applicant is required to produce a translation of the certificate from the Embassy or Consulate of that country and provide the original document. An exception might be permitted where a refugee has been allowed to stay in the UK and has been given asylum, and this exception will only apply to that country.

Criminal records checks for overseas applicants, will assist you further in obtaining this document.

Tax check

Tax check information
Details

You will need to complete a tax check when you apply or renew your licence as a:

  • driver of a taxi (hackney carriage)
  • driver of a private hire vehicle (and dual licences)
  • private hire vehicle operator

Please read our guidance for licence holders for more information


What happens next?

Once we have received all the documents mentioned above, we will use these to assess your fitness and suitability to be issued with a licence.

If we consider you to be fit and proper, we will issue you with a driver’s licence. Your licence will be emailed to you using the email address you have registered with us. We will post your driver’s ID badge to you.

If your application does not comply with our policy, we will refer your application to the council’s licensing committee.

If you have any questions about your application, please contact us by email in the first instance at [email protected] quoting your submission reference number.


Scanned or photographed documents

If you are submitting documents electronically, you must ensure that the electronic copy is clear, legible and shows the whole of the document.