Shropshire Council will not licence anyone to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle unless it is satisfied that they meet all the criteria to be deemed a fit and proper person.

Shropshire Council will issue a combined hackney carriage/private hire drivers licence (joint drivers licence) to successful applicants which will permit the driving of both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles with up to eight passenger seats.

Further information can be found in Part 3a of the full Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2019-2023.

We can accept applications for drivers' licences from any area.  However, before a person applies they need to consider where they will be primarily working. 

If, once a drivers licence has been granted, it is the intention to apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence, our vehicle application form asks the following question:

“If you intend to use your vehicle outside the administrative area of Shropshire Council, indicate the area you will primarily work and the approximate amount of time spent working there.”

Where a person indicates that a vehicle will be used in an area some distance away from Shropshire, the application will be considered but it may be that the licence won't be granted because of that distance.  

Please consider the possibility of not being able to licence your vehicle before going to the expense of getting a Shropshire joint driver's licence, as no refunds can be given after a licence has been granted.

Shropshire Council will aim to complete the application process in as timely a manner as possible and many applications are processed within 4-6 weeks providing all the checks are returned satisfactory.  However, we aim to process all applications within a maximum period of six months, unless prevented from doing so by matters that are outside the applicant’s or Shropshire Councils control (eg. external delays in the DBS process).

• Completed application form, which includes five year address history form and DVLA mandate form
• Completed Reference Form,
• Fee or a copy of the receipt if paid online. Online payments can be made by clicking here.  Alternatively you can call the Licensing Team on 0345 678 9046 to make payment.
• One recent passport sized photograph
• On initial application the Council will accept an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate issued as part of an application made through a separate organisation, providing:
  • it is to the same standard
  • the original DBS certificate is presented to the Council
  • the applicant has subscribed to the DBS Update Service
  • the applicant has authorised the Council to access the relevant online record

Your completed application form and any supporting documents can be submitted to the Licensing Team either by email to taxis@shropshire.gov.uk or by post to the address below.

Before your application can be determined, you will also need to submit a group 2 medical form completed by your own GP or a doctor who has had full access to your medical records.  This document does not have to be supplied at the time of submitting your application.

Once an application has been validated and accepted, the Council will:

• Issue appointment letters for completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required, DVLA check, right to work check, sitting the knowledge test, undertaking the driving assessment and completing the course on Raising Awareness of Safeguarding Children and Adults with Care and Support Needs
• Make enquiries through Care First (or equivalent), West Mercia Police (or other relevant force), other local authorities and any other organisation, agency or person that the Council has deemed appropriate to seek information from
• Make enquiries through the national register for hackney carriage and private hire licence revocations and refusals
• Write to the referees provided

The results of all the checks will help officers determine whether an applicant can be deemed a fit and proper person, and will help determine whether the licence is to be granted or refused.

Once all the checks have been completed and the results received, providing Officers are satisfied that an applicant is a ‘fit and proper’ person, applying the Council’s policy, a licence will be granted.  In all other cases, the application will be referred to the Licensing Panel for determination.  The applicant will be notified in writing if their application is to be determined by the Licensing Panel and advised of the Licensing Panel process.

When an applicant is successful they will be issued a combined hackney carriage/private hire drivers licence (joint badge).  A licence is normally issued for a maximum period of three years. 

The licence pack consists of two badges, a paper licence and hackney carriage/private hire drivers licence conditions of licence. 

One badge comes with a lanyard and badge holder and is to be worn around the neck ensuring that the photograph and licence details are clearly visible.  Drivers must show this badge to passengers, the police or an authorised officer when requested.

The second badge has the words ‘Vehicle Copy’ and comes with an adhesive holder.  This badge must be displayed on the inside of the windscreen of the vehicle being driven so as to be plainly visible at all times to fare paying passengers.

Loss of either of either of the badges must be reported immediately to the Council so that a new badge can be obtained.  A fee will be charged for a replacement badge.  If the original badge is then found, it must be returned to the Council.

Licensed drivers must read the conditions of licence carefully to ensure compliance at all times.  Once licensed, a driver must remain a fit and proper person to hold a licence and therefore drivers are advised to keep themselves familiar with the contents of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2019 to 2023, in addition to their conditions of licence.