Wealden District Council
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Wealden District Council > Licences and Registers > Licensing > Taxi and private hire licensing > Operator Licences

Operator Licences

In order to apply, you must:

  • Be a “fit and proper” person, including an operating address within Wealden
  • Undertake a DBS (CRB) check

You do not need to hold any other licence to be issued with an operator’s licence.

Applicants are required to have read the DBS Enhanced Check Privacy Policy before making an application for disclosure and you will be asked to declare that you have read and understood how the DBS will process your personal data on your application form. Please visit their website to read the DBS Enhanced Check Privacy Policy

You can view the DBS code of practice at DBS code of Practice

Operator Licence for Existing Dual Drivers

If you already hold a Dual Driver’s licence, you will not be required to undertake an additional DBS check or provide separate references.

Operator Licence for non-Dual Driver Licence Holders

If your operator’s licence is to stand alone from a driver’s licence, please contact the Licensing Officer to arrange an appointment to which you should bring your completed form, together with:

  • An online payment for the application before your appointment (see Application Fees page). If you pay online you will be emailed your receipt, please show this to the Licensing Officer during your appointment.
  • Payment for the DBS check made online at Rother District Council
  • Driving licence – photo card and paper counterpart
  • Passport or birth certificate
  • Household utility bill/bank statement not more than 3 months old, confirming your current address
  • Passport style photo
  • Full address history for the last five years
  • Employment history giving name and address for the past 5 years.

Applications cannot be determined until a response has been received from the DBS and the process may take up to 6/8 weeks. You cannot operate as a Private Hire Operator until your licence has been determined.

Operator Licence Renewals

Once licensed, the appropriate renewal documentation will be sent to you about 8 weeks before the expiry of your Operator’s Licence. As part of your renewal you will need to:

If you hold a Wealden Dual Driver Licence you will not need to provide a DBS for the renewal.

Training

Operators and their customer facing staff are required to complete the mandatory training below unless they have completed it in the last 3 years. This is with effect from 1st June 2024 for new applications and from 1st October 2024 for renewal applications:

 

Disability Awareness

Complete ONE of the following courses:

You are reminded that it is your responsibility, not the Council’s, to renew your Licence and if you fail to do so before its expiry then you will not be permitted to make provision for the invitation or the acceptance of bookings until the licence has been renewed.