Renewing your Taxi Driver Licence
In order to ensure continuity of your licence, an application to renew the licence must be received prior to the expiry date of the existing licence. An application to renew an existing licence cannot be submitted once the expiry date of the licence has passed. In those circumstances, an application for a new licence will be required and the driver will have to meet the requirements of the Policy for a new applicant, i.e. CRB, medical, knowledge test.
If an initial six-month licence has been issued and you have not yet passed the DSA assessment, you should still renew your licence albeit you will not be able to drive until the DSA has been passed. If you fail to renew, an application for a new licence will be required and the driver will have to meet the requirements of the Policy for a new applicant, i.e. CRB, medical, knowledge test.
Step 1 - The Application Form
The first step in applying to renew a driver’s licence is to complete an application form and send it to the Council complete with your DVLA driving licence and the application fee. 
The DVLA licence will be copied by Council staff and the original returned to you by recorded delivery. Alternatively, you can hand-deliver the application form and fee to the Council’s Customer Service Centre
The application form and fee should be received by the Council no later than twenty-eight days prior to the expiry date of the current licence. Accompanying documentation can follow as it becomes available , but must be received by the Council no later than ten working days prior to the expiry date of the current licence.
Hackney Carriage Driver Renewal Application Form (63.2KB) 
Private Hire Driver Renewal Application Form (46KB)
Step 2 - Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check
A CRB disclosure is valid for a period of three years. If your renewal application is for a period longer than the validity of your current CRB, a new CRB application must be made as part of the renewal process. A blank disclosure form will be sent to you in the post for you, if applicable, to complete with your personal details. A licence will not be granted for a period in excess of the validity of a current CRB unless a new CRB application has been made. If a licence is granted prior to the return of the new CRB disclosure, the licence is issued on the basis that it may be reviewed should the new CRB disclosure contain any new information not previously disclosed.
It is important that you ensure that the form is accurately and fully completed as the CRB will reject the disclosure application if there is insufficient or inaccurate detail.
You will be asked to pay the CRB disclosure fee which is non-refundable if you subsequently withdraw your application or if it is refused. Cheques should be made payable to North Hertfordshire District Council.
Step 3 - Medical Forms (where applicable)
When renewing an existing licence, a medical is only required in the following circumstances:
- The driver is seventy years of age or older
- The driver has a medical condition that impacts on his/her ability to drive
A medical condition that has an impact on the driver’s ability to drive is one that is either advised to the driver by the Council during a previous application process or a change in the driver’s health since the previous application (see the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy).
The medical assessment form used by North Hertfordshire District Council is the standard DVLA D4 Medical Form. This form is available at the following link:
Form: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/dvla/forms/~/media/pdf/forms/D4.ashx
Information Booklet: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/dvla/~/media/pdf/leaflets/INF4D.ashx
You should arrange an appointment with your GP, or a registered medical practitioner, who will complete the form and return it to you. The completed form should be sent to the council.
Step 4 - The Licence
If everything is satisfactory a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence will be granted for a period of 1, 2 or 3 years at the driver’s request. If you are renewing an initial six-month licence, a further six month licence will be granted. If you have any new criminal convictions or driving endorsements your application may be referred to the Head of Housing and Environmental Health for his/her determination. This may involve attending an interview at the Council Offices. If your application is refused, you have a right of appeal to the local Magistrates Court; further details can be obtained from the Court Clerk’s Office.
Step 5 - Collecting your Taxi Driver Badge
Once you have completed all of these stages you will be issued with a photographic id badge, which must be worn at all times whilst driving a licensed vehicle, and a paper licence which must be retained for its duration. Your licences can either be collected from the Council Offices or despatched by post.
If you have any questions, please contact Licensing & Enforcement via e-mail at licensing@north-herts.gov.uk 
or on 01462 474000.
