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• Local and legal theory test

  Candidates will be required to pass a written test, covering locations of well-known destinations, routes and licence conditions/byelaws.

  The Hackney Carriage test consists of three different sections, and the questions in each paper are selected randomly from our database, so every test taken will be different from the last. Applicants have up to two and a half hours to complete the entire paper. Once the test has started, no breaks are permitted. All three sections of the test must be passed, but section passes from a previous attempt will be carried forward and will not have to be taken again on subsequent attempts.

  If an applicant fails all three attempts within a year they must wait a period of three months following the final test before re-applying (previous pass marks will not be carried forward when making a renewed application).

  The test includes questions covering the whole of the borough, with sets of questions for Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, and Other Areas (which includes Kings Langley, Great Gaddesden, Bovingdon, Chipperfield, Felden, Flamstead, Aldbury, Potten End, Friars Wash, Frithsden, Wigginton, Little Gaddesden, Long Marston and Markyate).

  A thorough knowledge of the whole of the Dacorum area is required in order to pass the test - it is not enough to simply know only part of the borough. Applicants must keep their knowledge of the borough up to date - for example, new businesses or change of names of public houses/schools etc.

  Please note that we do not provide example test papers or learning packs.

  Section A - Places

  This section tests the applicant's knowledge of locations of named buildings and places. Buildings likely to appear in this section include schools, pubs, restaurants, sports/leisure facilities, hotels, shops, residential homes, churches, police stations, clubs, museums, council offices, railway and bus terminals, colleges, hospitals and other places of public interest. You will be asked to name the roads or streets on which they are found.

  Example Question

  Q: Greenway First and Nursery School (Berkhamsted)
  A: Crossways 

  Pass marks

  Hackney carriage applicants must answer a minimum of 33 questions correctly out of the total 43 to pass section A.
  

  Section B - Routes

  The questions in Section B give the name of two different roads. Applicants will be expected to describe the shortest, most direct route between these two places, naming all the streets and roads on the route they are taking.

  Example question

  Q: Westron Gardens to Okeford Drive (Tring)
  A: Mortimer Hill, Brook Street, High Street, Christchurch Road

  Pass marks

  Hackney carriage applicants must answer a minimum of 33 questions correctly out of the total 43 to pass section B.

  Section C - Conditions and byelaws

  This section tests the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the conditions and byelaws they will be subject to if they are granted a licence.
  

  Before booking a knowledge test, applicants should ensure they are aware of the byelaws and conditions that appear in our  Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy (PDF 1.4MB).

  Taxi and Private Hire Policy

  Pass marks

  Applicants must correctly answer 15 out of the 20 questions about the byelaws or conditions in order to pass Section C.

• Communication skills assessment

  All licensed taxi and private hire drivers must have a good command of English to communicate clearly with passengers and officials, including in stressful situations.

  English language assessment

  Applicants must take a communication skills assessment, unless they can prove they have already completed a recognised English-language qualification (equal to level B2 on the CEFR scale) - see below for further details on previous qualifications. There is an additional fee for this assessment.

  The assessment consists of a 20-minute exercise, taken on a smartphone from our offices. Candidates will be tested on various aspects of their speaking and listening ability. They will receive instructions on how to download the app and can practise in advance. 

  The assessment is provided by a specialist education and testing company. It consists of five sections:

  1. Reading sentences from a printed list in the order instructed
  2. Repeating back sentences that are read to you over the phone
  3. Answering simple questions asked over the phone
  4. Constructing sentences from fragments read to you over the phone (sentences divided into three or four parts)
  5. Answering open questions asked over the phone (speaking for up to 30 seconds per question)

  All topics will relate to everyday subjects, with no trick questions, but some will require quick thinking.

  At the end of the test, you will be provided with a report and score indicating your overall ability. You will also be graded on:

  • sentence usage
  • vocabulary
  • fluency
  • pronunciation.

  To pass, you must score at least 56 out of 80 (equivalent to level B2 on the CEFR scale), meaning you can speak fluently on everyday topics and understand most instructions.

  Previous qualifications

  You will not need to take the test if you can provide original certificates (and/or examination transcript) proving you have passed a relevant English-language qualification at a suitable level, awarded by a recognised body. Examples include:

  • GCSE or GCE O-level (grade C or higher) or Scottish Intermediate 2
  • GCE A-level or Scottish Higher
  • NVQ, BTEC, City and Guilds or similar vocational qualification (level 2 or higher)
  • Higher education award (for example an English Language degree, HND or HNC)
  • Qualification equivalent to any of the above, issued by a recognised examining body in an English-speaking country other than the UK
  • a TOEFL, IELTS or ESOL qualification at CEFR level B2 or higher (or equivalent).

  Technical or IT-related qualifications are unlikely to be accepted. We look for qualifications that include a significant amount of verbal or written content in the English language.

  The licensing officer has the final say on whether a qualification meets the requirement. If you cannot provide acceptable proof, you must take the speaking and listening test.

• Advanced driving qualification

  All candidates must pass an advanced driving qualification approved by us. This practical test, conducted by DVSA-accredited assessors, will look at:

  • your driving ability and style
  • how safely you drive
  • how well you observe the rules and laws of the highway.

  Our approved advanced driving qualification provider is Blue Lamp Trust. For more information, visit the Blue Lamp Trust website.

  Please note: Some insurers may offer discounts on taxi and motor insurance products to holders of the above qualification - please contact your broker to check.