Applying to drive a taxi or cab

Who can apply to drive a taxi or cab

To get a badge to drive a public service vehicle (PSV) taxi or cab, you need to:

• be aged 21 or over
  
• hold a full Jersey driving licence, which includes category B
  
• complete the application form, see step 1
  
• attend a formal briefing at DVS, see step 2
  
• take a practical driving and island knowledge test, see step 3
  
• have a medical form completed by your doctor, confirming you're fit to drive a taxi or cab
• have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  

Step 1: complete the application form

You must fully complete the PSV1 Application form and submit it to DVS.

Step 2: attend a formal briefing at DVS

When your application has been processed we'll invite you to a formal briefing at DVS.

At the briefing we'll:

• explain what will be expected of you as a PSV driver
• issue you with a code of conduct
• answer any queries you may have

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

You'll need to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) form and submit it along with a fee. We'll check that the form has been completed and will pass it onto the relevant authority.

A record check will then be undertaken to find out if you have any criminal convictions. The results of the check will be sent to you, and you must then present it to DVS. This may take several weeks.

Step 3: take a PSV test

Once you've completed steps 1 and 2, you can book your PSV test. PSV test bookings must be made in person at DVS. You must bring your Jersey driving licence along with the correct fee. You will then be given a date and time to take the test.

It might be useful to take some formal driving lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor. This will help you to know what is required in the test, and will also help you to get rid of any bad driving habits.

Before you begin your test, the examiner will want to see:

• your Jersey driving licence
• a certificate of insurance or cover note entitling you to drive the vehicle (insurance policies, schedules or photocopies of the certificate are not acceptable. You will not be permitted to take the test unless the original certificate of insurance or a cover note is presented)

You must sit the test in a saloon of a similar size to a typical taxi or cab, no smaller than a Ford Focus. During the test you will be required to drive at the standard of a professional driver and as though you had a vehicle fully laden with passengers.

As part of the test, you will have to perform: 

• a hill-start
• reversing manoeuvres

During the drive, the examiner will ask you to take them to various places using the shortest practical route between the locations. The test will last for up to 1 hour 30 mins.

If at the end of the test, the examiner does not feel you have attained the required standard in the drive or have not achieved the 75% pass mark for the knowledge, you will have to sit the test again.

The table below shows all the categories you'll be tested on. At least 1 from each section will be asked on your test drive.

Getting your badge

When you have successfully completed all the steps above and paid the relevant fee you'll be issued with a badge to drive a taxi or cab.

You must renew your badge annually. You'll not be sent a reminder to renew your badge. It's illegal to drive a public service vehicle unless you hold a valid PSV badge.

You may want to apply for inclusion on the restricted taxi or cab licence waiting list. Request a form for this when you receive your badge.

As a PSV driver you will be expected to abide by the code of conduct and act in a professional manner at all times.

Fees

Our fees are subject to an annual review and increase.