A taxi driver medical is a mandatory medical assessment carried out by a registered doctor for individuals applying for a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) licence. The purpose of this examination is to confirm that the driver meets the required health and safety standards before being granted permission to operate a vehicle for public hire.
If a driver has previously experienced organ-related or serious medical conditions, they may be required to undergo a taxi driver medical again before being allowed to return to work. Prior to the appointment, drivers must complete a taxi medical form, which is reviewed by the examining doctor as part of the assessment.
A taxi driver medical involves a general health assessment carried out by a qualified medical professional to ensure you are fit to drive safely. The appointment typically includes a review of your overall health, medical history, and any existing or previous conditions that could affect your ability to operate a vehicle.
During the assessment, the medical professional will consider your health in line with the relevant licensing authority guidelines, including the standards required for professional drivers. Your medical records and completed health questionnaire are reviewed as part of the process to determine whether you meet the necessary requirements for holding a taxi or private hire licence.
A taxi driver medical is carried out to help protect the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users. By assessing a driver’s overall health, the medical helps identify conditions that could affect their ability to drive safely.
Some medical issues, particularly those affecting general wellbeing or physical stability, can increase the risk of sudden symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousness. If these occur while driving, they could place both the driver and the public at serious risk.
By completing a taxi driver medical, potential risks can be identified and managed appropriately. If the medical professional is satisfied that the driver meets the required health standards, a medical fitness certificate may be issued to support their taxi or private hire licence application.
During a taxi driver medical, a healthcare professional will carry out a general health assessment to gain an overall understanding of your physical wellbeing. This typically involves reviewing your medical history, discussing any existing or previous health conditions, and assessing whether there are any concerns that could affect your ability to drive safely.
As part of the appointment, routine checks may be carried out to screen for common health conditions and to ensure your body systems are functioning as expected. If any potential issues are identified, the doctor may recommend further assessments or follow-up checks to gain a clearer picture of your health.
For drivers with a history of more serious medical conditions, particularly those related to long-term health or past hospital treatment, additional monitoring or supporting information may be requested. This helps ensure that any risks are properly evaluated before a medical fitness decision is made.
Overall, the process is designed to be straightforward and focused on confirming that you meet the required health standards to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle safely.
Once the medical assessment has been completed, the outcome will depend on whether the required health standards have been met. If no concerns are identified, the doctor will issue a medical fitness certificate confirming that the driver is fit to operate a taxi or private hire vehicle, in line with licensing authority requirements.
If the assessment highlights medical concerns or the required standards are not met, the doctor may be required to inform the relevant licensing body that the driver does not currently meet the medical criteria to drive.
Regardless of the outcome, it is important for taxi drivers to continue looking after their health beyond the medical assessment. Maintaining good overall wellbeing helps support long-term fitness to drive and future licence renewals.
In addition to meeting the medical criteria, taxi drivers must satisfy several other requirements before being granted a licence. The medical standards are generally aligned with those required for professional drivers, similar to a Group 2 licence.
Common eligibility requirements include:
It’s important to note that licensing conditions can vary by region. Some local authorities may request additional checks or assessments as part of the application process.
The frequency of taxi licence renewal and medical assessments is set by the local authority that issues your licence. In many cases, drivers are required to undergo regular health checks to ensure they continue to meet the necessary medical standards.
Drivers who are older or who have certain medical conditions may be asked to complete medical assessments more frequently. In some situations, particularly where there is a higher health risk, an annual medical may be recommended.
If your taxi licence is renewed more than two years after its expiry date, additional requirements may apply. These can include completing further assessments, such as practical driving checks or mandatory refresher training, before the licence is reissued.
