Find out what you need to do after you've submitted your application and how long it takes to complete the application process.
When you have completed your application form, we'll send you an email offering you an appointment for you to meet with a member of the Taxi Licensing Team so that we can verify your documents and identity.
We hold these interviews at Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ.
When you attend your appointment, you need to bring your:
At the meeting, we'll give you a medical form and instructions to the next steps of the application.
If you have not been in the UK for 5 years, you need to complete an Overseas DBS check for all countries lived in during the last 5 years.
You need to pass the equivalent of the previously known DSA/DVSA driving test before you can take your Knowledge Tests.
Book this test through:
You must provide the licensing office with a copy of the pass certificate.
You need to have passed one of the following:
This is a 2.5-hour classroom-based training course provided by The Blue Lamp Trust.
It does not need a test but it is compulsory.
You need to pay £30 at the time of booking.
Book and check availability on their website, or phone 0333 700 015.
To comply with ss15 – 25 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 as amended we need to check your eligibility to live and work in the UK. This applies to all applicants.
If you do not hold a current UK passport you must provide evidence that you are able to live and work in the UK. Your right to live and work in the UK will be checked with the Home Office.
If you are living in the UK as a holder of a student visa, your application will be refused, as a student is unable to work as a self-employed person.
If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you must have an EU Settlement Scheme Certificate to continue living in the UK. Get full details on the GOV.UK website.
You must have an adequate knowledge of both written and spoken English.
All applicants including those who may be expected to speak English as a first language regardless of their country of birth must undertake the Versant English Test.
The first test is included in the original application fee. Subsequent tests will be charged for.
You can buy a practise English Language test directly from the Versant website. This can help you if you're struggling to pass or if you'd like to do a practice before taking the real test.
You can learn all the information you need for the Brighton & Hove Knowledge Test by enrolling and attending any knowledge school of your choice.
The Knowledge test consists of theoretical testing of your knowledge of Brighton & Hove.
The 2 multiple-choice tests are computer based and split into Brighton & Hove, which require you to learn the locations of the city’s:
You also need to understand the conditions that will apply to any hackney carriage and private hire licences issued by this council.
You must pass the Brighton test before you can move onto the Hove test.
We advise you to read the Blue Handbook for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, Vehicles and Operators 6th Edition.
You will be asked a total of 55 questions.
These include:
You need a minimum of 70% to pass.
There is a 45 minute time limit to complete the Brighton test.
The Hove test follows the same formula as the Brighton test but relates to places of interest and roads in Hove.
When you have successfully passed both the Brighton & Hove multiple choice knowledge tests, you will be invited to take a route test. This is a practical exam where will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge of the area by taking 8 routes using the shortest distance with a pass rate of 75% (6/8). All routes are within the Brighton & Hove area.
When all tests have been completed and passed a final review of your application will be conducted before your licence is granted.
You must complete the Hove Knowledge Test and Route test within 8 weeks of passing the Brighton test if you do not you will need to retake the Brighton Test.
It takes a minimum of 12 weeks to process your application. You can't take your knowledge test until all the checks and requirements are successfully completed.
At the time that you submit your application you have one year to complete the application process. If you’re unable to do this then you will need to follow the application process again.