Information for taxi drivers

How to report a change in your medical circumstances and/or apply for a medical exemption

You will need to report to us any change in medical circumstances that may affect your fitness or ability to drive (in accordance with the DVLA Group 2 medical standards). In addition if you consider yourself medically or physically unfit to carry out the requirements of a private hire / hackney carriage driver in respect of carriage of assistance dogs or the provision of mobility assistance to passengers, you will need to contact us to ask for an exemption from the duties.

If this happens during your licence term and you are not due a full medical, please provide us with a medical report or letter from your GP or consultant that includes:

• The background to the illness/injury
• What investigations and/or tests have been done with results
• What medication has been prescribed
• Any other illness or medical history
• A description of your general health
• Copies of outpatient letters or hospital discharge summaries

We will refer the information to our medical advisor as appropriate (you will need to pay a fee for this), and then come back to you.

How to report a safeguarding concern

If you have a concern about someone's safety that you come across in your role as a taxi driver, this should be reported to the relevant agency. If there is an immediate risk to safety or you witness a crime occurring at the time, then you should call 999. 

For concerns about suicidal ideation or other mental health concerns, call 999 or 101 as appropriate, or call 111 for advice. They may also send out mental health support if needed.

If there is not an immediate risk, you should contact one of the organisations below:

• Hampshire Constabulary or call 101
• Adult Safeguarding Concerns or call 0300 555 1386
• Child Safeguarding Concerns or call 0300 555 1384 (out of hours call 0300 555 1373)
• Crimestoppers or call 0800 555 111
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline or call 0808 2000 247
• Streetlink to report a person you believe to be homeless

For further advice or if you are unsure who to report a concern to, please contact the licensing team.

NR3 National Register

If we refuse, revoke or suspend a Hackney Carriage and / or Private Hire Driver's licence, it will be added to the NR3 National Register. This is in keeping with legislation. Please see our taxi licensing policy for more information.

Vehicle checks

You will need to do daily checks on your vehicle to make sure it meets the conditions of any of the vehicle licences we issue to you. 

You can decide how to record these checks, but the Department for Transport provide a sample vehicle checklist that may help you. 

Taxi licensing policy

We have our taxi licensing policy and guidance which explains how we carry out our taxi licensing functions and responsibilities. This policy is reviewed and updated when appropriate.

If you are an existing licence holder, you will need to meet any new requirements by the renewal date of your licence.