Tests and courses
Before you apply for the first time you will need to complete the following tests and training courses:
Driving assessment
If you are a new applicant, you will be required to take a driving assessment with Blue Lamp Trust. The course costs £87 and lasts for 1 hour. The course will include an eyesight check and a 45 minutes driving assessment including driving on a range of road types, completing some manoeuvres and following road signs. You will only need to sit this assessment once unless there are concerns about your standards of driving whilst you hold a licence.
Once you have successfully completed the course you will be given a certificate, a photograph of which you will need to upload as part of your application.
Disability awareness training
All potential new drivers will need to complete a disability awareness training course before you can submit your application. The course is provided by Blue Lamp Trust and costs £40. The course is delivered online and once you have successfully completed it you will be given a certificate, a photograph of which you will need to upload as part of your application. You will only need to do this course once unless there are significant changes in the legislation or thre are concerns about your understanding of the requirements of the duty to assist and the Equality Act.
Safeguarding course - for new and existing drivers
When applying for a new licence and at each renewal you will need to complete the taxi driver safeguarding course. This is delivered by Blue Lamp Trust and costs £35. This must be the virtual classroom course.