Important note:

• An Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Restricted School Run Only private hire driver licence will authorise the holder to drive an Epsom & Ewell Borough Council licensed private hire vehicle only whilst carrying out contracted school runs through an Epsom And Ewell licensed private hire operator accepting the booking from a local education authority
• In addition to requiring a private hire driver licence, the County Council awarding the home to school contracts will also need to vet all drivers.This process is entirely separate from the licencing process , for further advice please contact your operator or contact the lrelevant County Council - for Surrey County Council information can be found on this process on the Surrey County Council website School transport contracts information page. 

Before applying for a licence you should read our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and our Convictions Policy (see documents section below). Application fees are non-refundable.

Requirements 

You be a 'fit and proper person' - which means your background and character will be checked. We will look at: 

• medical fitness (drivers must evidence the meet the DVLA Group 2 standard of fitness for vocational drivers i.e. the same as for lorry or bus drivers)
• driving record
• criminal record and any other relevant information
• right to work in the UK

Applicants must have held a full driver's licence (issued by DVLA or European Union Country) for three years.  Applicants who have held a full driver's licence between 1-3 years may be licensed if they provided an approved driving assessment certificate issued within the last 12 months from an approved provider - contact licensing@epsom-ewell.gov.uk(link sends e-mail) for further details

To apply to be a licensed driver you must initially e-mail copies of the following documents to licensing@epsom-ewell.gov.uk(link sends e-mail) . We will then contact you by phone for payment of the relevant fee (by debit or credit card only).

• A completed application form (form available in the 'documents' section below)
• an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate (DBS) (obtained via TaxiPlus(link is external))
• Confirmation that the driver is signed up to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) update service. There are two opportunities to register with the DBS Update Service:
  • 28 days from when you apply for your enhanced DBS check
  • 30 days from the date when your DBS certificate was issued 
  • If you miss the windows to register, then you will need to apply and pay for a new enhanced DBS check
• a digital passport quality photograph.
• a medical form has been completed by your registered G.P (form available in the 'documents' section below).
• Certificate of successful completion of the approved Safeguarding e-learning course (the Blue Lamp Trust(link is external)).
• Copies of UK driving licence
• Copies of evidence of right to work in the UK
• Certificate of good conduct from the relevant embassy if you have lived/worked outside the UK for more than 3 months continuously since the age of 16

Once the application and supporting documentation has been provided and verified new drivers will be required to pass the proficiency test - this test will be of the applicant's knowledge of;-

• spoken English, reading and written comprehension, 
• awareness of the conditions of licence, and 
• the highway code. 

The knowledge test questions are available to download in the 'Documents' section below. Applicants for a restricted 'school run only' drivers instead must pass a Proficiency test - this test does not require knowledge of the local area, or test the applicant's numeracy, and the questions for this test is also available in the 'Downloads' section below. A test fee is payable when booking the test.

Additional information

• A licence holder/applicant must notify the Council, in writing and within seven days, if they change their name, address or operator. 
• A licence holder/applicant must notify the issuing authority in writing within 48 hours of an arrest and release, charge or conviction of any sexual offence, any offence involving dishonesty or violence and any motoring offence (including penalty points).
• Drivers should return their badge to the Council upon renewal or if they stop working for a private hire operator.
• On licensing medicals are required every 5 years from the age of 45. Drivers over 65 years will be required to have a medical a medical every year.
• A full list of the conditions of licence are available in the 'Documents' section below.