Hackney carriage (Taxi) and private hire licences information

The Royal Borough is responsible for the licensing of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and vehicles, and Private Hire Operators who wish to operate within the Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Apply to become a Combined Driver

To be a Combined Driver you:

  • must have the right to work and reside in the UK.
  • must have a full UK/NI/EU driving licence which must have been held for a minimum of two years.
  • will need to obtain a certificate of good conduct from the appropriate Embassy or High Commission (a certified English translation of this document is required) if you have been a resident in the UK for less than five years.

Any applicant with a conviction, caution, motoring offence or fixed penalty notice must declare so on the application form they submit at the ID verification appointment.

The application will then be referred to the licensing enforcement officers for a decision to be made in accordance with our Hackney Carriage Driver and Vehicle Policy and Conditions and Private Hire Driver and Vehicle Policy and Conditions. 

A copy of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver and Vehicle Policy and Conditions can be downloaded from the ‘document downloads’ section at the bottom of this page. 

New driver application process

To apply to become a Combined Driver, you must complete all the below requirements in order. 

1. Apply for an enhanced DBS certificate and register the certificate with the DBS Update Service.

2. ID Verification appointment - applicants are required to attend a document verification appointment. Only original documents will be accepted. The following is required:

  • Enhanced DBS Certificate (certificates must be registered with the DBS Update Service)
  • Valid DVLA driving licence (including valid DVLA Check Code)
  • Valid passport
  • Valid visa and share code (where applicable)
  • Completed driver application form signed by prospective operator (see the ‘document downloads’ section at the bottom of this page.)

At this appointment, you will be required to pay £30 for a RBWM Knowledge Test and will be booked into an appointment to complete this. Appointments are held on a Friday morning only.

You can book an ID Verification appointment by calling Customer Services on 01628 683800. Any enquiries should be emailed to Licensing@RBWM.gov.uk.

3. Knowledge Test

All applicants will be required to take and pass the RBWM knowledge test. The test has six sections covering the following topics:

  • Local area, destinations and planning a route.
  • Basic maths used for dealing with money and fares.
  • RBWM policy including age requirements, vehicle compliance and driver conduct.
  • RBWM penalty points.
  • Highway code. 
  • English proficiency (reading and writing)
    • This will include two situational questions in relation to emergencies and being a ‘fit and proper’ person. 

A copy of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Hackney Carriage Driver and Vehicle Policy and Conditions referenced in the knowledge test can be collected from Maidenhead Town Hall, requested by email or downloaded from the ‘document downloads’ section on our website. 

We recommend you have a good understanding of all parts of the policy before completing your knowledge test. 

The results of your Knowledge Test will be emailed to you within seven days of you completing the test.

4. Certificate of fitness (medical) – all applicants must arrange for a medical examination with their own GP or any other appropriate UK registered medical doctor (GMC number must be provided on the medical form). A copy of the RBWM Group 2 Medical Form can be downloaded from the ‘document downloads’ section at the bottom of this page.

5. Practical Driving Assessment – Enhanced (must include wheelchair assessment)

6. Safeguarding awareness training – this course must be delivered by an appropriately qualified trainer, either in person or virtually.

Please note: certificates submitted for e-learning courses will be refused and the applicant will be required to re-do and pay for the course in the correct format.

Please contact the below approved providers to arrange training; fees are set by and paid to the provider: 

7. Final appointment – once all the above requirements are completed, you must book an appointment to bring all your documents in and make payment. At this appointment you will be issued your licence.