Apply for or renew a taxi driver's licence

You need a taxi driver's licence to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle in Sheffield. You can find out how to apply for a new taxi driver's licence or how to renew an existing one on this page.

What you need to apply for a new licence

To apply for a private hire or hackney carriage driver licence you must:

• be able to work legally in the UK 
• have held a full driving licence for at least 1 year

We use the fit and proper test to help us decide if you can hold a licence. As part of this test you will need to successfully complete:

• Certificate in the Introduction to the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver
• Knowledge and Driving Test
• safeguarding training
• enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
• DVLA checks
• DVLA Group 2 Medical Assessment

You can apply for a licence that lasts up to 3 years. The costs are:

• 1 year £169
• 2 Year £229
• 3 Year £289

How to apply for a new licence

You can apply for a new licence through our taxi licensing portal BigChange. You will need to set up an account before you complete your application.

The link below will take you to a page where you can create your account. Once you have logged in, you can watch our step-by-step video which shows you how to renew your licence.

What happens when you need to renew your licence

We will email you when your licence needs to be renewed.

You can only renew your licence within two months of its expiry date, or up to one month after it has expired. 

You will need to have the following information with you before you renew your licence:

• Current taxi driver licence number displayed on your badge
• DVLA driving licence number
• 9 digit tax check code
• DBS certificate number or certificate to upload
• Medical assessment document if required
• Bank card to pay for 1, 2 or 3 year licence

The cost of your renewal depends on the length of licence you apply for:

• 1 Year £97
• 2 Year £157
• 3 Year £217