For most non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS), home-to-school and chauffeur or executive work, you’ll operate under a private hire (PHV) or hackney carriage licence— the same core licence as any taxi or PHV driver. What sets this work apart isn’t a different badge, it’s the standard you’re held to: in addition to an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding awareness, you will also often need first-aid, passenger-assistance and infection control training, all depending on the contract or operator. Mobility Exchange can help with all of this with our Hummingbird training qualifications.

That’s exactly why these sectors are worth aiming for. The operators running NEPTS, school and chauffeur contracts recruit for reliability and professionalism, not volume — so the drivers who take standards seriously are the ones who get the work and keep it. On your free intro call, we’ll explain the right licensing route for the sector you’re interested in and what operators are looking for.

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For most councils, the PHV licensing process takes several weeks, not months. A motivated applicant who submits the correct documents in the right order can often complete everything far quicker than expected. If you want to start earning quickly, the PHV licence is usually the fastest route.

Taxi licensing times vary more by location:

• London Black Cab (Green Badge): around 3–4 years

• London Suburban (Yellow Badge): around 18–24 months

• Provincial taxi licences: typically similar to PHV licensing, but can take around 20 percent longer due to extra local knowledge or topographical requirements.

The biggest cause of delays is missing documents, failed checks, or doing steps in the wrong order. Most delays are avoidable if you follow the right sequence — which we map out for you.

On your free introductory call, we assess your eligibility, tell you which licence is best for your goals, and give you a clear timeline specific to your council.

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Every council has slightly different rules, but nearly all require the same core checks:

• Full UK driving licence

• National Insurance number

• Enhanced DBS criminal record check
  → Gov.uk DBS check guidance

• Right to work documentation
  → Home Office right to work rules

• Medical examination (usually Group 2 standard)

• Safeguarding, English language or topographical tests, depending on your council

• Application fees

Submitting documents in the wrong order can delay your licence by weeks. Incorrect or missing documents are the number one reason applications get delayed. On your intro call, we walk you through the exact documents required for your council and the order to submit them.

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No. PHV and taxi licences are regulated differently.

PHV licence:

You can only take pre-booked jobs that come through a licensed PHV operator (Uber, Bolt, or a traditional base). You cannot be hailed, use ranks, or take direct bookings unless you also hold an operator licence.

Taxi (Hackney Carriage) licence:

You can take work from:

• taxi ranks (only if licensed in that area)

• street hails

• direct telephone bookings

• returning customers

Taxis do not need a PHV operator to accept work, although many still use operators to supplement income.

Earnings model differences:

• PHV drivers pay either commission (common on apps) or a fixed weekly base fee (radio rent).

• Taxi drivers can work with operators too, but they also have the ability to build their own customer base, which gives them more long-term earning control.

• Independent PHV operators can do this as well, but only if they hold an operator licence.

Outside London, the application process for taxi and PHV licences is often similar, though taxi licences may require a local knowledge or topographical test.

On your intro call, we explain which licence will give you the best earning potential in your area.

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Costs vary by council, but most applicants should expect:

• DBS check: around £40

• Medical: £60–£120

• Council application fees: £200–£350

• Any required tests (English, safeguarding, topographical): £20–£80 each

A full breakdown is provided on your intro call, based on your exact council requirements.

Omni includes tools to track these costs, plan for renewals and manage your driving business professionally.

If you want to run your own PHV business rather than solely rely on operators like Uber or Bolt, you can apply for a single-vehicle private hire operator licence. This allows you to legally accept bookings directly from customers while still working for operators like Uber or Bolt at the same time.

Most drivers do not realise this:
➡ Getting a PHV operator licence for one vehicle usually takes no longer than getting a normal PHV driver licence.
➡ Becoming an operator lets you keep more of your fares and build your own customer base.

As a licensed operator, you are legally responsible for recording bookings, storing required records and managing compliance.
Omni’s Operator Hub supports this by:

• recording bookings

• storing operator-required documents

• tracking renewals

• supporting inspections and audits

If you’re interested in becoming your own operator, we explain the process fully on your intro call.

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Most licensing delays come from avoidable admin mistakes, incorrect sequencing, or missing documents. A delay can set your application back by weeks and cost you additional fees. Mobility Exchange helps you avoid these issues by providing:

FREE

• Licensing pathway advice

• Best council options for your location

• Eligibility check

• Clear sequencing of steps to prevent delays

PAID SERVICES

You can upgrade to personalised guidance:

Steer (£0)
A free clarity call to confirm eligibility, licensing options and next steps.

Direction (£59.99 per session)
Step-by-step support including document review and council-specific requirements.

Business-Ready (£149.99 one-off)
Full end-to-end support including multiple one-to-one calls, application walkthrough and submission-ready help.

This support removes the guesswork and gives you the fastest possible route to getting licensed.

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Most drivers lose money through missed renewals, disorganised expenses or relying entirely on operators. This is where FaresFair and Omni help you run a more profitable, organised and independent business.

FaresFair

FaresFair helps you get direct bookings through:

• Your public FaresFair driver profile, searchable by local customers

• A personalised direct customer booking QR Code pack for your vehicle

• FaresFair directory listing (priority listings available)

• WhatsApp booking flow

Omni

For drivers who want a full business foundation, Omni provides:

• Important renewals and reminders management (MOT, taxi/minicab licence, vehicle insurance, compliance test, tax returns)

• Expenses and earnings tracking

• Bookings and operator compliance dashboard (for single-vehicle operators)

• Optional social media setup and management (Business package)

Together, these tools reduce downtime, lower costs, and help you build repeat customers instead of relying solely on operators.

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These optional packages help you stay compliant, reduce costs and build a more stable income. You only choose one if you want ongoing support after you’re licensed.

Here are the four upcoming packages, designed around the real needs of drivers:

1. New Driver Starter Pack – £19.99/month

For drivers in their first year.
Includes:

• Renewal reminders

• FF managed profile

• Professional FF driver pack (QR code sticker, business card templates)

• Basic expense tracking

Designed to stop avoidable mistakes and help new drivers start earning confidently.

2. Experienced Driver Pack – £29.99/month

For drivers who want a structured business foundation.
Includes everything above plus:

• Full expense tracking

• Profit and cost insights

• Renewal management

• Priority support

Ideal for drivers who want a clearer financial picture and fewer admin headaches.

3. Independent Operator Pack – £39.99/month

For drivers who hold (or plan to hold) a PHV operator licence.
Adds:

• Omni Operator Hub

• Booking records & compliance tools

• Operator document storage

• Quarterly compliance review

Gives single-vehicle operators the tools they need to stay fully compliant and avoid enforcement issues.

4. Business Package – £79.99/month

For drivers who want a fully managed, professional service.
Adds:

• Social media setup and management

• Professional content posting

• Review-building tools

• Monthly analytics reports

• Business optimisation insights

Designed for drivers building a brand and aiming for higher-value private clients.

There are no long contracts — you can upgrade or cancel at any time. If you’re unsure which pack suits you, we can guide you on a free call.

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