Becoming a Private Hire Driver in Manchester

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1 Becoming a Private Hire Driver in Manchester How long will my application take? You are reminded that you must not work as a Private Hire driver until you are in possession of a current Private Hire Driver's Licence and Badge issued by Manchester City Council. Unlicensed private hire drivers commit an offence, which can attract a fine and other serious consequences. Taxi Licensing estimates that the application process should take approximately 20 weeks. This includes the process time for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, skills assessment, coaching session and knowledge test. If your application is delayed due to convictions disclosed, or if you fail the knowledge test and need to revise further, the process may take longer than that stated above. What do I need when I submit my application? Documents needed to submit your application are listed on the application form. These are: 1. Application form, including Mandate for Release of Information (DVLA check) and Applicant Declaration, fully completed and signed by yourself. 2. Current DVLA Driving Licence (original, not a copy), both the paper and photocard parts. 3. Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Form, (obtained by completing the online request form) completed and signed by yourself recent colour passport photograph (no sunglasses or hats). 5. EITHER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: a. Original EEA Passport. If you do not hold a current EEA passport, you must provide evidence that you are entitled to remain in the UK and able to work, OR b. Original birth certificate, if issued in the UK - photocopies not accepted. If producing a birth certificate, you must also provide official evidence of your National Insurance number, for example, a P45, P60 or National Insurance card recent utility bill stating your name and address, (for example, gas, electricity, bank or credit card statement), which must not be more than six months old. Note online bills and statements are NOT acceptable. 7. The current Fee shown on the Fee Table on the website (this includes the fee for the DBS Form, Skills Assessment, Coaching Session, first Knowledge Test and licence for one year). Preferred payment is by debit/credit card (except American Express or Diners Card). Payment by cheque/postal order (payable to Manchester City Council) is also accepted. To follow (we recommend only providing this when you have passed the Knowledge Test): 8. Medical Form (this can be downloaded and printed at completed by your own doctor or GP. (This is valid for only 12 months from the date the medical was performed) 1

2 What do I need to do to get a licence? Before being considered for a licence, you will need to: 1. Complete the application and sign and date where required. 2. Provide all necessary supporting documents requested on the application form. 3. Consent to a record check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). 4. Pass a Skills Assessment. 5. Attend a Coaching Session. 6. Pass a Knowledge Test on Manchester and nearby areas. 7. Provide a completed medical examination form, completed by your own doctor or GP. 8. You are required to hold a British DVLA Licence, which must have been held for a minimum of 1 year (a European licence is not acceptable as it does not show dates of entitlements and endorsements). How do I submit my application? The completed application form, documents and fee should be submitted by post to (your original documentation will be posted back to you by Special Delivery): Taxi Licensing P O Box 532 Manchester M60 2LA If you do not wish to post your documents, there is a drop-off service available at the Council s Customer Service Centre at the Town Hall Extension in the City Centre, which is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can hand in your application, your personal documents will be copied and handed back to you and then everything will be forwarded to Taxi Licensing for processing. taxi.licensing@manchester.gov.uk 2

3 What s a DBS and Applicant Declaration? You are required to consent to a record check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) to establish if you are a "fit and proper" person to hold a Private Hire Driver's Licence. The DBS disclosure must be completed as per the directions in the guidance notes provided. If this is not filled in correctly, it will be returned and this will delay your application. An Applicant Declaration is a self-declaration of all convictions (if any) that you have. This must be completed and signed and dated by you, the applicant. Manchester City Council expects the applicant to obey the undertaking strictly. All convictions, including any which you may consider as spent, motoring convictions and offences committed overseas, must be declared. How long is my DBS valid? The DBS is valid for 12 months once Taxi Licensing has received it from the Disclosure & Barring Service. If it has expired you will need to submit a further DBS at the appropriate cost and wait for it to return before a licence can be issued to you. What if I have convictions? Before submitting your application, please read the Guidelines to Convictions booklet on the website. This will explain the Council s policy on convictions. If you have declared any convictions on the Applicant Declaration, or should information be received from the DBS indicating you have convictions, which may or may not have been declared by you, then your application may be considered by the Licensing Panel. You will be invited to attend a meeting of Licensing Panel, which you will be required to attend. Once the Panel has considered the application, you will be informed their decision as soon as possible. If the application is refused, you have the right of appeal to Manchester City Magistrates Court. What happens once my DBS has been cleared? Once your DBS has been returned satisfactorily, your application will proceed as follows: 1. Skills Assessment The assessment is designed to ensure all applicants are able to understand and cater to passengers needs and are able to work out fares accurately. If an applicant fails the skills assessment, they will be informed of courses and where to go for additonal training to help them gain a better understanding in weaker areas, such as numeracy, literacy or language skills. 2. Coaching Session When you have passed the Skills Assessment, you are required to attend a coaching session. This is a half day session that helps you to prepare for the knowledge test, giving guidance and tips on how best to revise. You will be sent a letter advising you of the date of the coaching session a few days after you have passes the Skills Assessment. 3

4 3. Knowledge Test The knowledge test is a written assessment. As a driver of a private hire vehicle, you will be providing a service to the public and as a condition of that licence, the Council expects you to have a good knowledge of the City, its major features and prominent places in adjoining districts. The knowledge test is like any examination - if you revise properly, you can pass the test and get your licence quicker. How long is my Medical valid for? The medical questionnaire must be completed by your own GP s surgery and is valid 12 months from the date completed by the GP. How long do I have to complete my application? It should take approximately 20 weeks from submitting your application to being granted a Licence providing there are no delays with your DBS Form, you do not have to attend Panel and you pass the knowledge test first time. However your application will remain open providing there is regular activity happening. Your application will be cancelled and destroyed approximately 12 months from the date of submission if within the last 6 months you have not been in contact with Taxi Licensing, not completed the relevant modules or passed the knowledge test. This is because your documentation will be out of date or expired. A refund of outstanding fees is only available upon written request. Additional Fees An additional fee shown on the fee table is incurred each time: 1. You fail the test and wish to rebook. 2. You fail to attend the appointment accepted. 3. You cancel the test without giving 4 clear working days notice. 4. You cancel 2 consecutive appointments. An additional fee is incurred each time you complete a DBS disclosure. 4

5 Private Hire Application Process Applicant sends completed application form and all requested documents to Taxi Licensing. Incomplete applications will be returned Application accepted by Taxi Licensing. DBS Form sent to Disclosure & Barring Service approx 4-6 weeks wait DBS discloses relevant convictions Applicant invited to Licensing Panel DBS send disclosure information to applicant who sends it to Taxi Licensing this will detail all spent and unspent convictions. DBS discloses NO relevant convictions Applicant to sit Skills Assessment Licence refused (right of appeal available) Licence granted subject to passing Skills Assessment and Knowledge Test PASS Applicant attends Coaching Session FAIL Applicant undertakes required training in order to re-sit Skills Assessment Applicant sits knowledge test until passed Licence and Badge Issued 5

6 Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Knowledge Test Venue Directions From the M60: Leave the M60 at Junction 24, heading to Manchester City Centre down Hyde Road. Travel straight down Hyde Road, past Debdale Park on the right, for approximately 5 minutes, until you get to Kirkmanshulme Lane and turn left (you will also see directions to the greyhound racing track). Go straight down Kirkmanshulme Lane and take the first left into the Leisure Centre entrance. From the Mancunian Way (A57M): Take a right off the A57M and head towards Ardwick. When you get to a roundabout (opposite the Apollo Theatre), take the second exit down Hyde Road. Head down Hyde Road for about 5 minutes until you get to the second set of traffic lights. Turn right down Pottery Lane. Keep in the left hand lane and take the next left onto Kirkmanshulme Lane. LOCATION Belle Vue Leisure Centre Pink Bank Lane Longsight Manchester M12 5GL (use Kirkmanshulme Lane entrance) 6