The DSA driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles

Introduction

You need a licence from your local authority - or Transport for London (TfL) in London - to drive a hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle (PHV).

Some authorities will require you to pass a taxi or private hire vehicle driving assessment before they will consider granting you a licence. The test is an additional requirement to the practical test you originally passed to get your full driving licence.

Assessments are carried out by Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiners. The test is more demanding than the practical test taken by learner drivers, and has elements that relate specifically to driving a taxi or PHV.

This guide explains how to book your taxi assessment with the DSA, and what the test involves. It also explains what to do if you want to change or cancel a test booking.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Driving assessments and general requirements for getting a taxi or private hire vehicle licence
• How to book your taxi or private hire vehicle assessment
• What the taxi or private hire vehicle driving assessment involves
• The wheelchair exercise for taxis and private hire vehicles
• What happens at the end of the taxi or private hire vehicle assessment

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