Article: Licences - Private Hire Vehicle - Drivers Licence Article Body Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, licences are required to drive private hire vehicles. All licences expire on the 30th June every year, irrespective of when they are issued. Who can apply Licences may be granted by the council to any applicant aged 19 or over, who has held a full driving licence for a period of not less than 12 months. The council are required to be satisfied that applicants are fit and proper persons to hold such licences. How To Apply Private Hire Driver application form to be completed. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check to be completed (see fees below). Medical form to be completed. * Certification of Character form to be completed. Declaration of Convictions form to be completed. DSA driving test and written theory test to be completed (see fees below). * Medical not required for HGV / PSV holders. You will need to show your current driving licence as proof. Supporting Information Guidance Leaflets The following links provide guidance to support you in submitting your application :- Check list for new drivers Guidance notes for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage drivers Driver policy on convictions Theory test guidance List of Fees CRB (Criminal Records Bureau check) CRB checks must now be completed at the council's Human Resources department. In order for you to do this you need to make an appointment to ensure someone is available to complete the form for you. To make an appointment phone 01226 787690 or 01226 772264. Appointments are available Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The fee for an enhanced CRB check is to be paid at the time of making the application. You must take proof of your National Insurance number, address and your driving licence (both parts). If you have a valid passport, you must also take that. Theory Test Applicants to book the test at the Licensing Duty Office, Civic Hall, Eldon Street and pay the relevant fee. All cancellations are non-refundable. Anyone failing a theory test will need to pay a further fee to resit the test. Driving Test Driving tests are conducted through the DSA (Driving Standards Agency). These must be booked by phoning 0300 200 1122. Once passed, your test certificate must be handed in to the Licensing office together with your completed application. Contact Information Barnsley Council Regulatory Services PO Box 602 Barnsley S70 9FB Our office hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday. Phone: 01226 772468 Email: regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk Application Forms Private Hire Drivers Licence application form Medical Questionnaire form Character References form Postal applications should be sent to: The Licensing Section Regulatory Services Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council PO Box 602 Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 9FB Applications can also be handed to the Licensing Duty Office at the Civic Hall, Eldon Street, Barnsley, S70 2JL. Duty Office opening hours are 1pm to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 1pm to 4.30pm on Friday. Charges Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver licences are normally issued to start on July 1st. A reduced fee is applied to any new licence issued part way through the year, based on how many months are left to run. All annual Private Hire / Hackney Carriage Badges expire on 30th June, irrespective of when they are issued. The council provides a number of methods for making payment of licence fees. Further information For further details on conditions applied to this licence, click on the following link :- Private Hire Drivers' Licence Conditions Additional notes Applicants may be required to appear before the council's Licensing Regulatory Board, where there is some doubt as to his/her fitness to hold a licence, such as criminal convictions. Frequently Asked Questions What is the minimum age required to hold a private hire drivers licence? 19 years old (subject to production of evidence of insurance). Does the licence allow me to drive minibuses having over 8 seats? No, a PSV licence is required for that type of vehicle. The council licence vehicles for private hire purposes up to eight passenger seats. What are the national medical guidelines on fitness to drive, as used by doctors ? The attached file is a Guide to Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive