Portsmouth City Council
Home > Living > Licensing > Hackney Carriage Driver's Licence > What information must you supply to us?
What information must you supply to us?
To help us consider your application it is our policy for you to show us:-
That you have completed a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check to let us know of any previous motoring or criminal convictions recorded against you. You have a duty to tell us about any convictions unless they are 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. Even then, we might, in some cases, ask you to tell us about 'spent' convictions.
CRB checks (to an enhanced level) will be carried out on first application and every 3 years once (and if) you remain licensed. We may ask you to submit to a check at any other reasonable time.
If you have any convictions recorded against you, it might affect your right to hold (or continue to hold) a licence. This is because the Council has to be satisfied that you are 'fit and proper' having regard to the safety and protection of the travelling public. We may take into account spent convictions if considered appropriate.
WARNING
Look at our guidelines (overleaf) on the rehabilitation periods for convictions and the relevance of past convictions when providing information to us. From March 2002, checks have been undertaken by the Criminal Records Bureau. Applicants must obtain the form from us and we will explain the procedure for completion. We will countersign your form and send it to the CRB. A fee is payable for CRB checks. CRB checks are valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Guidance notes and booklets are available for inspection in our office. -
That you hold a current driving licence issued by DVLA or a valid European Community Licence. You must produce your driving licence for inspection before we can issue a licence to you.
WARNING
We cannot consider your application without seeing your driving licence. Please contact DVLA on 08702 400009 if you have any problems. -
That you have a reasonable knowledge of Portsmouth by sitting and passing a geography test. We do not expect you to pass first time and we ask that you leave a day between each attempt to enable us to mark your test paper and for you to think about the questions you have read. The pass mark is 62 out of 88 (70%).
WARNING
Do not cheat or attempt to smuggle in answers. This is not fair on other applicants. This test is for new applicants only. -
That two persons will support your application by providing written references. The persons you choose must have known you for at least 3 years and must not be relatives or partners of any description. We sometimes talk to referees and it is important that they give us a contactable phone number. References are only required on first application.
WARNING
No references from persons in the Hackney Carriage or Private Hire trade will be accepted - please provide 'independent' references. -
That you are medically fit to drive by producing a certificate completed and signed by your own GP or one having immediate access to your medical records and history. We require a medical on first application, at the age of 45, then every 5 years to 65, then annually. We may also ask any person to provide proof of medical fitness at any other reasonable time. From 1 January 2002, the Council requires medical examinations to meet the Group II Vocational standard. Also from this date, mandatory drug testing will be required in support of your medical fitness to drive, Information about the testing requirements will be shown on our medical examination form.
You must tell us immediately of any medical condition that might interfere with your ability to drive.
WARNING
Your doctor will charge you for a medical. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET YOUR MEDICAL DONE until your police check and geography test have been finished.
