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

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

Candidates attending the safeguarding training will attend the Municipal Offices in person. 

The training session is approximately two and a half hours long. 

A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees.

Local knowledge test (Cheltenham applicants only)

Please note 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

Candidates taking the knowledge test will attend the Municipal Offices in person. We will limit the numbers of people attending to comply with social distancing guidance.

The test 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 [email protected]. 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

  • 16 May 2024, 10am

Local knowledge test

  • 19 June 2024, 11am
  • 24 July 2024, 11am

Fees

  • Safeguarding only - £40 per delegate
  • Both sessions - £79 per delegate
  • Geographical local knowledge test resit* - £40 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.

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. 

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