Driver licences
A licence issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council allows the holder to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.
To apply you will be required to undertake and pass the computerised knowledge test and complete the relevant Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (previously Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check).
Please see The Licensing Partnership policy statement on the secure storage, handling, use, retention and disposal of disclosures and disclosure information page.
All applications for a new licence or licence renewal will automatically be checked on the national register of revocations and refusals (NR3). You can find out more information on our NR3 page.
About the test
On the day of your test evidence must be provided demonstrating your right to work in the taxi and private hire sector as set out in the acceptable documents list. If you fail to provide evidence you will not be permitted to sit the test.
To pass the knowledge test applicants are required to correctly answer questions on the Council’s hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy, the Highway Code, customer care, fare tariffs and knowledge of the borough, which will include places of interest, roads and journeys as listed in the sample bank of routes.
The bank of routes only represents a sample of the potential routes that may come up as part of the test. They do not represent all of the routes that may be part of the test. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have a comprehensive knowledge of the borough to assist them in passing this element of the test.
Applicants are encouraged to study a map or local A-Z.
Read through our frequently asked questions for more information about the computerised knowledge test.
Booking your test
When submitting your booking request, please ensure you attach a copy of your receipt of payment of the knowledge test fee. Please note appointments will not be made for bookings that do not include a valid receipt.
On receipt of your booking request, a member of the Licensing team will contact you confirming the date and time of your test appointment.
If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, you will be eligible for a refund providing you have notified the licensing department at least two working days before the date of your test.
Applicants are restricted to three attempts (no time limit) to pass the computerised knowledge test. See license fees.
Each test consists of 51 questions which are selected at random from a bank of questions. In order to achieve a pass an applicant must score more than 80% in all categories.
If an applicant is unsuccessful after three attempts they will not be permitted to re-sit a further test until a period of six months has passed, as it is considered that an applicant who has failed to pass the knowledge test within three attempts needs to develop the required level of knowledge.
In order to apply for a driver licence you need to:
- submit an application form (online or by post)
- make an appointment with the Administration Officer
- pay the fee (see below for details)
- provide the following:
- DVLA check code (obtain from GOV.UK - view driving licence)
- medical form
- Driving Standards Assessment test (you must use a provider from our approved list)
- relevant documents from the GOV.UK ID checklist
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - applicants are required to have read the DBS Enhanced Check Privacy Policy before making an application for disclosure, and applicants will be asked to declare they have read and understood how the DBS will process their personal data on their application form. It is a mandatory requirement for all new applicants and all existing licensed drivers to sign up to the DBS Update Service. This will enable the authority to undertake a DBS check every six months and will make the renewal process easier.
- DBS Update Service
- your full UK driving licence or acceptable non-UK driver licence for at least one year
For a new application the following can be provided at any time during the process:
- medical form
- pass certificate for the EQUO test
- evidence of the Driving Standards Assessment test
- relevant ID documents from the ID checklist
At your meeting with the Administration Officer the following will be required:
- DBS certificate
- evidence that you have signed up to the DBS Update Service
- driving licence
Apply online
Before your start:
- you will need your unique candidate reference number (provided with your computerised knowledge test results notification)
Apply by post
Post your application to:
P.O. Box 182
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1GP
EU Settlement Scheme
The Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020. This means that from 1 January 2021, the UK will have a new points-based immigration system that will impact how we are able to grant licences. If you are an EU citizen, you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you want to continue living and working in the UK.
We value all our licensed drivers and want our EU drivers to remain working in our area.
Please act now. It’s free to apply and the scheme protects the rights of EU citizens, including access to healthcare, benefits and pensions.
Renewing your licence
Existing licensed drivers must apply to renew their licence a minimum of 14 days before it expires. Failure to do so may result in you having to apply as a new applicant.
In order to renew your driver licence you need to:
- submit an application form (online or by post)
- make an appointment with the Administration Officer
- pay the fee (see below for details)
- provide the following:
- DVLA check code (obtain from GOV.UK - view driving licence)
- medical form
- relevant documents from the GOV.UK ID checklist
- Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate (DBS) - (this may not apply if you have already signed up to the DBS update service)
- evidence of signing up to the DBS Update Service
- a medical examination completed by your own GP within six weeks
- pass certificate for the EQUO test
Renew online
Renew by post
Post your renewal application to:
P.O. Box 182
Sevenoaks, Kent
TN13 1GP
To ensure we are compliant with the statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards, we have introduced an additional mandatory test to evaluate a driver’s understanding of:
- child sexual exploitation and safeguarding
- disability awareness
- gangs and county lines
The training and test will be undertaken at our offices using a third-party software product. All new applicants and future renewal drivers will be required to undertake this for a one-off fee.
Payments can be made:
- using a Debit or Credit card by calling 01732 227001
- in person at The Amelia in Tunbridge Wells.
Some documents on this page may not be in an accessible format. If you require any documents in an accessible format, please complete our online form to request them.