If you are interested in a new career in the taxi industry as a Hackney carriage or private hire driver please follow the steps below.
You must:
Taxi licensing policy (Adobe PDF format, 861kb)
You will need to book an appointment to undertake an assessment, this will cost £50, this is non-refundable.
During the appointment we will cover a basic oral English language assessment. Applicants will need to satisfy the authority that you are able to communicate to a standard required to fulfil your duties as a private hire or hackney carriage driver in Salford. There will also be a written literacy and numeracy test. The written test will consist of eight questions, and the pass mark is six correct answers. You can find example questions to download, at the bottom of this page. You must pass both the oral and written assessments.
During the assessment we will undertake a DVLA check and start an enhanced DBS check (previously known as a CRB check), to check for relevant convictions and this will cost £45.50. When you receive your DBS, you must sign up to the DBS Update Service with your certificate, we recommend that this is done within 14 days of the issue date on it. Failure to do so will result in a new DBS being required costing a further £45.50.
A check on the National Database (NR3) for Taxi Licensing Refusals and Revocations will also be undertaken. You can find out more about this database at the bottom of this page.
We will also take your photograph that will be used should we issue you with a driver badge and licence.
If you have lived outside of the UK in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct is required, see the taxi licensing policy for more details.
You will need to bring with you:
From 1 September 2022, you must complete a driving proficiency assessment before we can issue you with a licence. This assessment costs £80 and lasts around 45 minutes. The assessment will be delivered by Drivesafe for Transport for Greater Manchester. You can book the assessment online. If you have completed this assessment before you attend your pre-assessment, please bring evidence with you.
Failure to provide the required documentation will result in the appointment being cancelled and a new chargeable appointment being arranged.
You will need to undertake a knowledge and conditions test. This will cost £50. We will send you an email with a link to book and pay for this test.
However, if you have any relevant convictions you will be contacted by a member of the licensing team. Your application may be referred to the Licensing Regulatory Panel for a decision, see the taxi licensing policy for more details.
The test involves a series of questions in relation to the Salford area as well as conditions, byelaws and legislation.
The cost is £50 per test.
Once all of the above has been successfully completed including providing evidence you have completed the taxi driver assessment with Drivesafe (from 1 September 2022), you will have to have a medical form completed by your GP, there will be a cost for this.
You will then be sent a link to book an application review meeting to discuss your application and if successful, to have your licence issued. There will be one final payment of £133.50 payable on the day.
The total cost of the licence application will be £279. This includes the DBS and test fees but not the medical form cost, this is paid to your GP.
You will need to register your details with us before you can book an appointment. Click the button below to access the booking system.
Book and pay for an assessment
If you need some help please download the manual below.
If you wish to renew your current licence, you need to book an appointment and complete an online renewal application. This will be a face to face appointment at Swinton Gateway.
You must bring with you:
Your renewal appointment cannot be completed without all the documents. If you fail to bring all the documents you will need to book a pay for a further appointment.
The cost will be £108 for a three year licence which is due when you apply online and £45.50 for your DBS check.
You must sign up to the DBS Update Service with your certificate, within 30 days of the issue date on it. Failure to do so will result in a new DBS being required.
If you are required to submit a medical certificate, please print the form from the bottom of this page and get it completed by your doctor. If your doctor is not available, you may arrange for another doctor or a third party medical supplier to complete this, as long as they have access to your medical records.
If you are aged 64 or over, you can apply for a three year licence (you will be required to submit an annual medical), please email licensing@salford.gov.uk to book an appointment.
To book a renewal appointment you will need to register your details with us before you can book an appointment. Click the button below to access the booking system.
If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page.
Book and pay for a driver renewal appointment
Details of how to change or cancel your appointment will be included in your confirmation email once you have booked an appointment.
If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.
This page was last updated on 9 April 2024