Online applications only
To renew your existing driver's licence, please apply online. Your new driver’s badge and licence will be sent to you within 10 working days of receipt of a valid application. Please ensure you apply at least 10 working days prior to your expiry date.
If you have any issues with completing your application, please email us at taxi.licensing@plymouth.gov.uk.
For new applications or for a driver who is returning to the trade within 3 years of an expired licence, please go to the new driver application page to complete your application (do not use the renewal form below).
To apply for a driver's licence we need the following:
- Tax Check Code
- Valid UK driving licence and a driving licence check code
- Digital Passport style photo
- Enhanced Disclosure nad Barisng Service (DBS) Certificate and ensure you have signed up to the DSB update service
- Certificate of Good Conduct (if you lived outside the UK for 3 months or more)
- Proof of the right to work in the UK (if you have any restrictions on the right to work in the UK)
- Medical Certificate (if required)
- Attended the safeguarding training (every 5 years)
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application
Please read the guidance below which explains how to apply for your enhanced disclosure check. Please note that the Enhanced DBS must be no more than three months old at the date of application.
If the Enhanced DBS shows convictions you may be referred to the Licensing Committee for approval of your application.
Medicals
Each new applicant must satisfy the requirements of the DVSA Group II medical standard of fitness to drive, signed by their own GP or other suitably qualified medical practitioner. The medical certificate must be no more than 3 months old at the time of application.
An updated medical certificate must be provided at the following time line intervals; at 45 years of age and every 5 years thereafter until the age of 65 and annually from the age of 70 onwards, for as long as that person remains a licensed driver.
The medical certificate must be submitted using Plymouth City Council’s medical form below within the timeline and not at the renewal of the licence.
Proof of right to work in the UK
All Councils are required to confirm, before issuing a new licence or renewing an existing licence that the applicant has the right to work in the UK. Under no circumstances will any applicant who cannot meet this requirement be granted a licence. The documents required to prove your right to work in the UK differ based on your current citizenship. You can find out what documents are acceptable by visiting GOV.UK.
Tax Checks
From 4 April 2022, you will need to complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when you renew each of your taxi licences (driver, vehicle and operator).
How changes may affect you
What you need to do will depend on whether you’re applying for a licence for the first time or whether you’re making a subsequent application, such as renewing a licence.
Getting a new licence
If you are applying for a licence for the first time, you will not need to complete the tax check. However, you will be required to read HMRC guidance on what you need to do to be properly registered for tax in the future and you will need to confirm you have done this on your application form. Tax responsibilities guidance.
Renewing a licence
From 4 April 2022, every applicant will need to complete a tax check and provide a tax check code on your application, if you are:
- Renewing a licence
- Applying for the same type of licence they previously held, that ceased to be valid less than a year ago
- Applying for the same type of licence they already hold with another licensing authority
About the tax check
You will be able to complete this tax check on GOV.UK, through your Government Gateway account. You will only need to answer a few questions to tell HMRC how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade. If you do not already have a Government Gateway account, you can sign up on GOV.UK.
The tax check should only take a few minutes. Obtain your Tax code. Anyone who needs extra support will be able to complete the tax check by phone through HMRC’s customer helpline.
When you have completed the tax check, you will get a code. You must give this code to us on your application form. We cannot proceed with your licence application or renewal until the tax check is completed and we have received the code.
We will only receive confirmation from HMRC that you have completed the tax check, we will not have access to information about your tax affairs.
What you need to do
If you have not registered to pay tax on earnings from your licensed trade, please visit the following links to check if you need to register, as soon as possible.
If you’re an employee, find information on PAYE.
If you’re self-employed, find information on registering for Self Assessment.