Taxi driver training

Requirements vary by council

Taxi and private hire licensing is set locally, not nationally, so exactly what you need depends on which licensing authority you're applying through. In Birmingham, applicants need an enhanced DBS check, a pass in the council's own knowledge test — the Hackney Carriage Knowledge Test for taxi drivers, or the Private Hire Suitability Test for private hire drivers — and a pass in a separate approved driving assessment before a licence is granted. Neighbouring authorities like Sandwell run their own equivalent policy, which can differ in the detail. Get in touch and we'll talk through what applies to you specifically.

The driving assessment isn't your original test

Holding a full driving licence already is the starting point, but it isn't the end of it — most councils, Birmingham included, require a separate approved driving assessment specifically for taxi and private hire applicants, booked through the council rather than the DVSA. It's a different standard to the one you were tested against originally, often with more emphasis on smoothness, passenger comfort and awareness than the manoeuvres a learner test focuses on. That's the part Active Drive helps with directly.

Why train with an experienced instructor

Licensing authorities are assessing safe, professional driving specifically — not just competence, but the kind of driving a fare-paying passenger would be comfortable with. An experienced instructor can help you prepare with structured lessons suited to what's actually expected, rather than a generic refresher course built for learners. We're also happy to work around irregular shift patterns where needed, since most people booking this aren't free during a standard nine-to-five.

What we don't cover

We don't run the council's knowledge test, DBS check, or handle the licence application itself — those go directly through your local licensing authority. What we focus on is the driving side: getting you genuinely road-ready and confident ahead of the council's own assessment, whichever authority you're applying through.

Get started

Call us to discuss your situation and what training and theory support would help — whether you're applying for the first time, renewing an existing licence, or coming back after time off the road. See our prices page for current rates.

Available across our coverage area

We work with taxi and private hire applicants across the areas we cover. See every area or check who teaches near you on our instructors page.

Source: Birmingham City Council — taxi and private hire driver licensing.