How to Become a Taxi Driver

How Popular Is Being a Taxi Driver in The UK

According to the latest data from the Department for Transport¹, there are over 342,000 licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in England alone, an increase of 9.3% compared to 2024. The data² also shows that the total number of licensed taxi drivers (including private hire vehicle drivers) sits at over 417,000 in 2026, an increase of 9.5% vs 2024.

When deciding to enter the trade, you’ll need to choose between two distinct types of licences: Hackney Carriage (Public Hire Taxi) vs Private Hire Vehicle (PHV). Private hire vehicles are the most popular option, accounting for 84.7% of all licenced vehicles in England in 2026. Our dedicated guide covers everything you need to know about the difference between hackney carriage and private hire.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Taxi Driver?

You don’t need specialised academic credentials to get behind the wheel. However, you do need specific legal documentation and background checks to satisfy local licensing authorities that you’re a fit and appropriate person to carry passengers.

Here’s the checklist of core requirements:

• Driving Licence: You must hold a full GB, Northern Ireland, or EU driving licence. Most councils require you to have held it for at least 12 months (or 3 years in London). Note that for short-term cover options, you’ll need to have held a full UK driving licence for at least 2 years.
• Right to Work: You must prove your legal right to work in the UK.
• Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old in most parts of the UK, though Transport for London (TfL) and several local councils require applicants to be 21 or older.
• Enhanced DBS Check: A clean criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is mandatory.
• Medical Assessment: You must pass a Group 2 medical examination, which is the same medical standard required for HGV and bus drivers.
• Local Assessments: Depending on your council, you may need to pass a local area knowledge test, an English language test, and a practical driving assessment.

If you’re wondering if it’s hard to become a taxi driver, bear in mind that whilst the process isn’t necessarily difficult, it is thorough. Taking it step by step helps you avoid unnecessary delays.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your Taxi Driver Badge

Your local council (or TfL in Greater London) manages the licensing process, so procedures and fees vary depending on where you plan to operate. Generally, though, these are the steps you’ll need to follow:

• Submit Application & Medical Assessment: Download the application pack from your local council website. Book a Group 2 medical exam with your GP or an approved medical provider to confirm your fitness to drive professionally.
• Complete Enhanced DBS Check: Submit your background check to confirm you have no disqualifying criminal convictions.
• Pass Local Knowledge and Driving Tests: Take your local authority’s knowledge assessment and practical driving test if required.
• License Your Vehicle: If you’re using your own vehicle, ensure it passes local council compliance tests to receive its vehicle licence plate.
• Secure Dedicated Insurance: Get valid taxi insurance in place before accepting your first passenger.

How to Become a Taxi Driver in London

If you plan to operate in the capital, your application goes through Transport for London (TfL) rather than a local borough council.

To work as a private hire driver in London:

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years.
• You need to pass TfL’s Topographical Skills Assessment (map reading and route planning) and the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment.

If you want to drive an iconic London black cab, you’ll need to master ‘The Knowledge’ – an in-depth study of London’s 25,000 streets and thousands of landmarks. Passing The Knowledge takes serious dedication and typically takes between 2 to 4 years of study.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Taxi Driver and How Long Does It Take?

Understanding the upfront costs and timeline helps you plan your transition into the trade effectively.

Vehicle Rules: Can You Use Your Own Car as a Taxi?

Once you have your driver badge, you need a suitable vehicle. Drivers often ask whether they can simply put a sign on their existing car and start earning, but vehicle rules are strict.

Can I Use My Private Car as a Taxi?

You can use a car you already own, but only if it meets your local council’s vehicle specification guidelines and is officially inspected and licensed as a private hire vehicle or hackney carriage. You cannot pick up paying passengers in a regular private vehicle without a vehicle licence plate issued by your council.

Can Any Car Be a Hackney Carriage?

No. Local councils enforce clear rules regarding which vehicle models qualify as hackney carriages. In many major cities, hackney carriages must be wheelchair accessible, meet specific Euro 6 emissions standards, or follow strict turning circle requirements.

Can My Wife or other Family Member Drive My Private Hire Vehicle?

In almost all local authority areas, once a vehicle is licensed as a private hire vehicle, only someone with a valid private hire driver licence from that same council can drive it. This rule applies 24/7, even when the car is being used for personal weekend errands or family trips. Letting an unlicensed family member drive a licensed taxi can result in council penalties and could invalidate cover.

What Insurance Do You Need to Be a Taxi Driver?

You need specific taxi insurance that allows hire and reward use and the carriage of passengers for money. Standard private car insurance covers social, domestic, pleasure, and basic commuting. It does not cover carrying passengers for money.

Can I Drive a Taxi on Normal Insurance?

No, you can’t drive a taxi on normal insurance. Standard private motor policies specifically exclude Hire and Reward work, meaning carrying paying passengers without dedicated taxi cover will invalidate your policy and leave you uninsured. If you’re starting out or testing a new vehicle, temporary taxi insurance provides a fast, flexible way to stay fully protected without locking yourself into an expensive annual policy. Driving without insurance carries serious legal penalties, including 6 to 8 penalty points, a heavy fine, and potential disqualification.

Taxi Insurance Requirements

To operate legally, you need specific taxi insurance. This covers you for transporting passengers in exchange for payment. Key taxi insurance requirements include:

• Public Liability Insurance: While not always a legal requirement, it is recommended, and some councils insist on it. This cover protects you if a passenger is injured or their property is damaged while entering, exiting, or riding in your vehicle.
• Taxi Cover: The core legal requirement for commercial passenger transport.
• Comprehensive Cover: Pays out for damage to your own vehicle and third-party vehicles in an accident. All our temporary taxi insurance policies offer comprehensive protection as standard.

How GoShorty Temporary Taxi Insurance Helps You Get Started

If you’ve just completed your local knowledge test or medical and want to see if the lifestyle fits, a few weeks of temporary taxi cover is a great way to start without the huge upfront investment of committing to a full year’s premium. It’s also ideal for part-time flexibility, whether you’re picking up extra weekend shifts during busy holiday peaks or driving for local summer festivals.

Our short-term policies aren’t limited to passenger fares either. If passenger demand slows down during quiet hours, you can easily switch to food or parcel drop-offs because our cover doubles up as courier insurance. Plus, because it’s a standalone temporary policy, any claims won’t affect the main no claims bonus on your personal car insurance.

Regulations, Rules, and Earnings for Taxi Drivers

Do Taxi Drivers Need to Wear Seatbelts?

Under UK law, taxi and private hire drivers are legally exempt from wearing a seatbelt only when carrying passengers for hire or when plying for hire (looking for fares). If you’re driving your vehicle while off duty or travelling between shifts and not available for hire, you must wear your seatbelt like any other driver. When you have passengers, they must always wear their seatbelt, though.

Do You Need a Taxi Licence for Uber?

Yes. Uber operates as a licensed private hire operator in the UK. To drive for Uber, you must hold a valid private hire driver licence (PHV badge) from a local authority or TfL, and your car must be registered as a licensed private hire vehicle.

Do Taxi Drivers Need a Special Licence?

Yes. A standard DVLA driving licence allows you to drive private cars, but you cannot legally carry passengers for hire without a taxi or private hire driver licence issued by your local licensing authority.

Do Taxi Drivers Earn a Lot of Money?

Earnings vary by location, working hours, fuel costs, and overheads. Drivers who work busy weekend peak times, night shifts, or target busy airport runs can earn a comfortable income. Because you set your own schedule, your earning potential largely depends on how and when you choose to work.

Is Being a Taxi Driver Worth It?

For drivers who value independence, flexible hours, and social interaction, becoming a taxi driver can be a rewarding career choice. Managing your own time lets you balance work with family commitments or other business ventures.

Top Tips to Make the Most Out of Being a Taxi Driver

Starting out as a new driver can feel like a steep learning curve. Here are a few practical tips to help you hit the ground running:

• Know Your Peak Hours: Early mornings, evening commuter rushes, and weekend nights are prime earning windows. Learning local event schedules (sports matches, concerts, festivals) helps you position yourself where demand is highest.
• Keep Your Vehicle Spotless: Passengers appreciate a clean, fresh vehicle. Good hygiene and friendly service often translate directly into better tips and repeat bookings.
• Understand What Affects Your Running Costs: From fuel efficiency to insurance premiums, keeping costs low boosts your net income. Take a look at our breakdown of what affects car insurance prices and how to factor car insurance groups into your vehicle choice.
• Be Careful with Paperwork: Always keep your details up to date with your local council and insurer. Read up on the importance of providing the correct insurance information, and check what can invalidate your cover to stay fully protected at all times.
• Consider Delivery Side-Lines: Many drivers combine taxi driving with short-term courier or delivery work during quiet hours. If you’re thinking of expanding into parcel or food drop-offs, check out our guides on the best way to get insured for delivery work.

Ready to Become a Taxi Driver?

Starting a career as a taxi driver gives you freedom, flexibility, and control over your income. Once you’ve completed your council checks, medical exam, and background assessments, the final step before turning the key is getting the right cover.

If you need fast, hassle-free cover to get started or test out a new taxi vehicle, we’re here to help. Get a quote for temporary taxi insurance in under two minutes and hit the road with confidence.