Hackney carriage and private hire driver licences

Hackney carriage and private hire driver licences

Hackney carriage and private hire driver licences allow you to drive a licensed vehicle. The holder of a North Northamptonshire licence is considered a professional driver and should always demonstrate high professional standards.

If you want to be licensed with us, you can apply to be:

• a hackney carriage vehicle driver only
• a private hire vehicle driver only
  or
• a dual hackney carriage and private hire vehicle driver

Zones

All private hire applications will relate to the whole geographical area of North Northamptonshire.

For hackney carriage vehicles and drivers, we are retaining four zones (prescribed areas) in North Northamptonshire:

• Zone 1: East Northamptonshire is zone one
• Zone 2: Corby
• Zone 3: Kettering
• Zone 4: Wellingborough 

If you want to drive a hackney carriage vehicle, you will need to select the zones you want to operate in.

Checks

Before making your application to us you will need to complete several tests and checks in advance. The tests needed will depend on the type of application.

As some of these tests and checks are carried out by third parties, you should apply in good time and with plenty of notice to avoid delays.

Expiry

A hackney carriage, private hire or dual driver’s licence will remain in force until the expiry date stated on the licence, unless it's suspended or revoked by us. The licence will be subject to conditions.

Applications and fees for these licences are for a three-year period only. We may issue a driver licence for less than three years:

• at your request
• where your right to remain in the UK is less than the three-year period. If the licence is approved it would only be issued for same time as the leave to remain
• where your medical check identified a requirement for review within the three-year period

There will be no reduction in fee for a licence granted for a shorter term.

Last updated 19 April 2023