How to Apply for a Tamworth Private Hire Driver Licence

Last checked: October 2026. Requirements and fees can change. Always check Tamworth Borough Council's official taxi and private hire pages before you apply or pay anything.

Eligibility

You must be over 21 years of age.
You must have held a full UK driving licence (or the European equivalent) for at least 1 year.
The council must judge you a fit and proper person. Its own test asks whether you would let your son or daughter, spouse or partner, parent, grandchild, or anyone else you care for, get into a vehicle with you alone.
You must have the right to work in the UK.
Tamworth does not currently licence Uber. If you want to drive for Uber, you would need to apply to a council that does, such as Wolverhampton.

Licence lengths: driver badges are issued for 3 years. Vehicle licences are issued for one year.

Have these ready before you apply

A recent digital photo you can upload: in colour, in focus, plain light background, facing the camera with a plain expression, eyes open and visible, no sunglasses or tinted glasses, nothing covering your face (a head covering is allowed for religious or medical reasons). Renewals need a new photo only if your appearance has changed.
Your DVLA check code: eight digits, from gov.uk/view-driving-licence, using your 16-character driver number (field 5 on your photocard). Your driving record is checked every 12 months.
Your driving licence number and expiry date (fields 5 and 4b).
Your National Insurance number.
Your last five years' residential history. If you have lived outside the UK for six months or more in that time, you will be asked to bring a certificate of good character from the relevant country or embassy after you apply.
Your right to work: a right to work code from the Home Office, or an original document. You don't upload it, but you bring it to Marmion House after you apply. Photocopies are not accepted. Even UK citizens must show this.
A credit or debit card. Tamworth does not accept cash.
A tax check code (9 characters) if you are renewing, or if you have held a similar licence in the last 12 months. The check is on gov.uk.

Step by step

The council doesn't number its steps. This order follows its guidance.

1. Get your enhanced DBS check

If you need a new enhanced DBS, email taxi-licensing@tamworth.gov.uk. You receive an invite link from U Check (check your spam folder), so make sure the council has your correct email.

You pay the DBS fee to U Check when you enter your details.
You can pay extra for a digital ID check, done online, so you don't have to go to the council offices. If you opt out, you are sent an appointment to show your documents to an officer.
You provide ID such as a passport and driving licence, and a "selfie".
When your certificate arrives, the licensing team must see the original.
You have 30 days from the date the certificate was issued to register for the DBS Update Service. There is an annual fee, and you must keep it paid. If you change your card, tell the Update Service, or the subscription may lapse.
The council checks your DBS every 6 months. If you aren't on the Update Service, or your circumstances change, you must get a new certificate and pay again.

2. Submit your application online

Your application fee includes your first attempt at the knowledge test. Further attempts cost extra. Tamworth's fees are listed on the council's website, on the Environmental Health Fees & Charges page, and no fee amounts are given in this guide.

You are asked about any convictions, warnings, offences and cautions. If you declare any, the council contacts you to talk about them. You also sign a declaration that everything is true, and a false declaration is a criminal offence.

3. Medical

After you apply, the licensing team sends you a medical form. Any GP registered with the General Medical Council can complete it.

It is repeated every 5 years up to age 45, every 3 years from 45 to 65, and every year from 65. Tamworth Licensing confirmed this in writing in October 2026.

4. Knowledge test

You are invited once your application has been accepted. The test is one hour with five sections, and you must pass all five:

Receipt: complete a receipt from a journey scenario. Only 1 error is allowed.
English and arithmetic: 5 multiple choice, pass mark 3
Highway Code: 5 multiple choice, pass mark 3
Legislation and conditions: 10 questions, pass mark 8
Local knowledge: name the road for 10 places, pass mark 7

It is done without translation. You get a maximum of 3 attempts; after three failures, your application is refused and you can't reapply for 12 months. Give at least 2 clear working days' notice to cancel, or you pay the fee and it counts as a fail. Renewals do not sit the test.

5. Disability and safeguarding training

All new applicants, and existing drivers who want to renew, must complete online disability awareness and safeguarding modules every three years. The provider is Equo Training (equotraining.co.uk/tamworth). Click BUY NOW and pay by card. When you pass you get a certificate, which you email to the licensing team.

6. Driving assessment

New applicants only. You are told to book once your application has been accepted.

Book online, any time, with The Blue Lamp Trust (bltdrivertraining.co.uk).
An assessor contacts you within 48 hours (2 working days) to agree a date, time and place.
You get the result straight away. You are allowed up to 9 driving faults, and no serious or dangerous faults.
If you pass, you get a marking sheet and a hard copy certificate, which you send to taxi-licensing@tamworth.gov.uk.
Blue Lamp Trust: info@bltdrivertraining.co.uk, 0330 4416 847.

7. Licence issued

Once everything is complete, you are issued your licence and two badges (see below).

Once you are licensed

Two badges: wear one at all times, plainly visible. The second is displayed prominently in the vehicle.
DVLA check code: if the council asks for it, provide it within 7 days.
Change of personal details (such as your address): tell the council in writing within 5 working days.
Away from your registered address for more than 7 days: tell the council in advance, in writing.
Arrest, charge or conviction for a sexual offence, dishonesty, violence, or any motoring offence: tell the council within 48 hours. Failing to report is treated as an honesty problem in its own right, even if you are later cleared.
Any other conviction or caution: within 7 working days.
Accepting a fixed penalty notice: within 5 working days, and again straight away once it is endorsed.
Illness or injury affecting your driving: within 10 working days.
Penalty points: reaching 12 points within 3 years means an officer reviews your record and will normally refer you to the Licensing Committee. It isn't automatic revocation, and you can make submissions and appeal to the Magistrates' Court.
Suspension, revocation, refusal to renew or expiry: return your badges and licence within 7 days, or sooner if the council asks.

Contact

Tamworth Borough Council, Taxi Licensing
Email: taxi-licensing@tamworth.gov.uk
Phone: 01827 709709

Where to go next

Applying elsewhere in the West Midlands? We have application guides for other councils too:

To prepare for the test, see the PHV Prep UK app page. The app is on the App Store and Google Play.

Official sources

Tamworth Borough Council — Taxi and private hire licensing

PHV Prep UK is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, authorised by, or endorsed by Tamworth Borough Council or any licensing authority. Always check the council's official guidance for the latest application requirements and fees.