Level 2 Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver Course

The qualification has nine units, each assessed by its own test. The summaries below are a guide, and the awarding body’s specification is the definitive source. Tap a unit to see what it covers, and practise with our free taxi course mock exams.

• Licensing expectations: it prepares you to meet the requirements many councils set before you apply for a badge.
• Passenger safety: safeguarding awareness and confidence in dealing with vulnerable passengers.
• Professional conduct: customer service and behaviour that operators and passengers expect.
• Employability: a recognised qualification that shows professional competence to private hire operators.
• Legal and safe service: a clear understanding of the licensing regulations you work under.

For further learning, see our Customer Service course and our Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults awareness courses. These do not replace any safeguarding training your council requires.

This qualification can support your route into:

• A private hire driver (PHV) licence
• Hackney carriage (taxi) driver roles, subject to local authority requirements
• Work with private hire operators and ride-hailing platforms
• Chauffeur services
• Further training in transport, logistics or customer service

Passing the course helps you apply for a licence. It does not guarantee a licence or a job.

How long is the course?

The taxi and private hire driver course takes 4 days, with training sessions running from 9am to 6pm. We also offer flexible teaching and assessment arrangements for drivers who work irregular hours, so contact us to discuss your options.

How is it assessed?

Each unit is assessed by an online test set by the awarding body, plus a practical assessment of transporting wheelchair passengers safely. Tests are arranged with you and your tutor, and valid photographic ID (a passport or full driving licence) is required for each one. All assessments are conducted online and scheduled flexibly to suit your availability.

How to prepare

• Attend every day of the course
• Practise with our free mock exams
• Revise the licensing regulations and passenger safety topics
• Keep your passport or full driving licence ready for test days
• Ask your tutor about anything you are unsure of

Certification

On successful completion you achieve the Level 2 Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver (RQF) from an awarding body recognised by Ofqual. Learners are also added to the National Register of Taxi and Private Hire Drivers, developed by People 1st.

Nervous about the tests? Our tutors support you throughout the course, and our free mock exams let you practise each topic first.

Getting a taxi licence in the UK follows a similar path in most areas, although every licensing authority sets its own detail. Follow these steps:

1. Check what your licensing authority requires (your local council, or TfL in London)
2. Complete this course and pass the unit tests, if your authority requires or recommends the qualification
3. Complete any other requirements, such as local knowledge or topographical tests, English tests, safeguarding training, DBS check, medical and driving assessment
4. Submit your application with your certificate and supporting documents
5. The licensing authority decides your application and, if approved, issues your driver licence or badge

Council fees, DBS checks, medicals and tests are paid separately to the relevant organisations. We give step-by-step guidance on the licence application process and post-qualification email support. You can also read the National Careers Service’s taxi driver job profile.

Course fees start from £249.99 in London, Birmingham and Glasgow, and from £299.99 in Liverpool and Manchester. You can reserve your place with a £49.99 deposit.

The price is an all-inclusive package covering tuition, materials, exams and certification, with no hidden costs. Council application fees, DBS checks, medical assessments and other licensing tests are paid separately. Please read our cancellation and refund policy and terms and conditions before booking.

Earnings depend on where you work, how many hours you drive and whether you are employed or self-employed. The figures below come from the National Careers Service.

• Starting out: new drivers typically earn towards the lower end while they build experience and regular customers.
• Experienced drivers can earn more, especially with longer trips and higher-value fares.
• Self-employed drivers have running costs to cover. Private hire drivers need hire and reward insurance.
• Growing your income: some self-employed drivers go on to run a private hire firm and employ other drivers.

Location

Busy cities and areas with airports and stations usually offer more work.

Hours and demand

The times you drive and local demand affect how many fares you can take.

Type of work

Longer journeys, higher-value fares and chauffeur work can pay more than short local trips.

Employed or self-employed

Your take-home pay depends on whether you work for an operator or run your own business, and on fuel, insurance and vehicle costs.

Once you have your certificate, you can apply to your licensing authority for a taxi or private hire driver licence. Each authority decides its own applications, and we cannot guarantee a licence or employment. If you plan to drive in London, see our SERU and topographical test preparation courses, or browse all of our taxi courses.