Private hire licences

Apply for a private hire driver licence

A private hire vehicle, also known as a minicab, may only carry passengers who have pre-booked a journey through a licensed operator.

A private hire driver licence costs £306.00 on first application, not including test fees.

To apply for a private hire driver licence you will need to complete the following steps:

• Read the private hire driver guidance notes
• Contact the Licencing team at licensing@horsham.gov.uk to request an application form.
• Complete and Return the application form, pay £40 in advance (non-refundable) for the licence conditions test
• Subsequent  licence  conditions tests if required  are £50.00 (non-refundable).
• Read our Criminal Convictions Policy
• Read the private hire licence conditions to prepare for the licence conditions test
• Read the Human trafficking and dementia awareness guidance notes to prepare for the dementia/human trafficking test
• Make sure you know where all the major villages are in the district
• When you are ready, email licensing@horsham.gov.uk to book your tests

On your test day, please bring the following with you:

• Payment  £306.00 for the licence, £49.50 for the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and £17.25 for a DVLA Data Protection Consent Mandate. The total cost of £372.75 will be payable  on completion of  Private Hire Conditions Test
• Passport, driving licence and birth certificate, proof of address. These are required to complete your DBS and Data Protection Consent Mandate, which will both be done on the day once you have passed your licence conditions and dementia/human trafficking tests
• If you do not hold a UK passport or have lived outside the UK for more than six months (excluding armed forces), you may be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the countries you have previously lived in

You will also need to pass a Driver Assessment (information below) and a group 2 medical with your General Practitioner (GP). Please contact licensing@horsham.gov.uk to request a medical form.

Driver Assessment

The Driver Assessment costs £90.

Read the driving test guidance for this, then book and pay for your test online.

Book an Assessment

Renewal fees

Our private hire licence fees are valid until 31 March 2026. A three year renewal fee is £332.00