To become a taxi or private hire driver in London you'll need to apply to Transport for London (TfL) for the correct driving licence.

There are 2 types of driving licenses for taxi drivers:

• the all London licence (known as a ‘green badge’) which allows you to work throughout London
• the suburban licence (known as a ‘yellow badge’) which restricts you to working in the suburban areas of London

Private hire drivers will need to apply for a private hire driving licence.

Before applying for your driver's licence, you’ll need to apply for an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

To apply for a taxi licence in London you must be:

• at least 21 years old
• a UK or European Union (EU) citizen, or have the right to stay and work in the UK
• the holder of a full Great Britain (GB), Northern Ireland (NI) or European Economic Area (EEA) driving licence

You'll also need to:

• have a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• pass 'the knowledge' test
• pass the Driving standards Agency (DSA) taxi driving assessment
• have a medical examination with your GP

Download 'Suburban Taxi Driver Licence Applications' from TfL (PDF, 190KB)

You need to include the right fees when you submit your application.

Transport for London (TfL) will send you a renewal form before your current driving licence expires.

You need to renew your licence before it expires or you won't be able to work as a licensed taxi driver.

Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)

Before returning your renewal you’ll need to apply for an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

What you need to send with your renewal

When returning your renewal form to TfL you'll need to include:

• 2 passport-sized photographs
• your current DVLA licence (for photocard licences the paper copy must also be attached)
• your current taxi driver’s licence (the copy and original)
• the right fees
• your DBS reference number (previously known as a CRB reference number)

Postal address

Please return your renewal form, supporting documents and payment to TfL.

Driver Renewals
TfL - London Taxi and Private Hire
Palestra, 4th floor (Green zone)
197 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8NJ

You need to hold a driver licence issued by Transport for London (TfL) if you want to work as a private hire vehicle (PHV) driver in London.

Applying for your PHV drivers licence

To apply for your PHV drivers licence you’ll need to:

• be at least 21 years of age
• have held a full Great Britain (GB), Northern Ireland (NI) or European Economic Area (EEA) driving licence for at least 3 years
• have the right to live and work in the UK
• have an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• have a medical examination with your GP
• sit a topographical (route finding) skills test

Download 'Topographical Skills Assessment Centres' (PDF, 113KB)

Download 'Application to become a Licensed London Private Hire Driver' from TfL (PDF, 648KB).

You’ll need to include the right fees when you submit your application.

Transport for London (TfL) will send you a renewal form before your current driving licence expires.

You need to send your renewal form to TfL, 6 weeks before your licence expires

You won't be able to work as a private hire driver if you don't renew your licence before it expires.

What you need to send with your renewal

When returning your renewal form to TfL you'll need to include:

• 1 recent, colour passport-sized photograph
• clear photocopies of both sides of your current DVLA licence (for photocard licences the paper copy must also be attached)
• a completed enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• a completed medical form, if required
• the right fees

Postal address

Please return your renewal form, supporting documents and payment to TfL.

Private Hire Driver Renewals
TfL - London Taxi and Private Hire
Palestra, 4th floor (Green zone)
197 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8NJ