As part of the application process, tests and checks are undertaken with various organisations including the DVLA and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Before applying for a licence please read Ashfield District Councils policy relating to the relevance of previous convictions. Download Criteria for Determining Applications and the Relevance of Convictions

How to apply

You will need to ring Ashfield District Council on 01623 457589 to arrange to undergo and successfully pass a written and oral Knowledge and Topography test prior to making your application for a Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence. 

This test will be conducted at the Council Offices, Kirkby in Ashfield. The test is designed to show competence in knowledge of the Terms and Conditions attached to a Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence, what is required of you as a Hire Vehicle Driver, conditions attached to the vehicle you may be driving, the Highway Code and the Topography of the Ashfield area.

The Test will entail 20 multi answer written questions and 5 oral questions, all questions will be taken at random from the questions contained in your application pack. You will be unable to take any documents in to the room when taking the test and no maps or navigational aides will be allowed.  The pass mark for the test is 20 marks, made up of 17 from the written part and 3 from the oral. 

You can begin revising for the test by downloading the Test Questions, The Terms and Conditions Booklet, and the Tariff Card. When attending the Council Offices in order to take the test you must produce photographic identification.

Test Questions

Terms and Condition Booklet 

Tariff Card

If you successfully pass the test you will be informed by letter a few days later. Also you will received a application pack containing the application form, a criminal records bureau form, and medical form, please complete these then ring Ashfield District Council on 01623 457589 for an appointment to process your application, this appointment normally takes place on Thursdays.       

After passing the Knowledge and Topography test, you can download the Application form by clicking the relevant link below:

Download a PDF application form

Or by contacting the Licensing section of Ashfield District Council.

In addition to completing the application form (and the attached DVLA and Criminal Records Bureau form) you will need to pay a fee and supply the following information:

1. Original current driving licence
2. Character references, One of which needs to be your most recent or current employer. (More information about reference)
3. Current passport sized photographs

What happens next?

Once the completed application form, fee and documentation has been received, the council will need to determine whether or not you are a "fit and proper person" under the terms of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. This involves a series of tests and checks being carried out with various organisations so that the Council can determine your application fairly and consistently. The checks and tests that we carry out are as follows:

Criminal Records Bureau Check

This involves a search of your individual criminal record to establish whether or not you are a safe person to drive members of the public, some of which may be vulnerable, elderly, or infirm. The CRB is a central organisation that deals with all checks of criminal records for the Council. More information about the CRB. You may wish to read Ashfield District Council's Policy and Guidelines relating to the relevance of previous convictions when applying for a Taxi Licence.

DVLA Check

This check can sometimes be referred to as a 'Swansea' check (The DVLA are based there. DVLA website) and is designed to give the Council an idea of your individual driving history. This is necessary to determine whether or not you are a safe driver and capable of driving a vehicle in the manner expected of a taxi driver. It is also used to confirm that an applicant has held a full driving licence for a period of at least twelve months.

Medical Examination

To drive a taxi you must be able to physically carry out the work required of a licensed driver. This may involve lifting heavy objects such as luggage and possibly people's wheelchairs. Certain medical conditions may mean that you are not capable of driving professionally and it is important that the Council know about such problems.

Local Authority Check

If you have been previously licensed with another local authority or had a drivers licence revoked or suspended then you must declare this on the application form. In this situation the Council will run a check to get an indication of your licensing history with other authorities.

Once the checks have been carried out the Licensing Section will determine your application and inform you of their decision in writing. If you are successful in your application then a drivers badge will be sent to you through the post along with your licence and attached conditions. If you are unsuccessful then the reason your application is being refused will be included in the letter and you will also be informed that if you do not agree with the decision then you may appeal to the Magistrates Court within twenty-one days.

Please contact us if you require any further assistance or information.