New Drivers

When you first get your Taxi badge, we advise that you start driving one of our company-owned vehicles. This will allow you to get a feel for the job, learn the areas, and understand the way the Taxi business works. You’ll need to be over 26 and hold a valid UK driving licence for 2 years (3 years if you intend to get a Blackpool Private Hire badge). You will have a basic knowledge of Lytham St Annes and Blackpool’s main roads and show a willingness to provide great service – the rest we can teach you!

For those that have little to no local knowledge of the area, applying for a Wolverhampton Private Hire Badge may be an option that suits you better. Full support and guidance will be provided for any badge you choose to apply for and our team are here to help you through every step. We work with the best Dispatch Software System on the market (iCabbi), which means not having great local knowledge is not an issue as it is integrated with Google Maps.

Your Own Business

Whether you start driving for the company or join from another company, Whiteside Taxis is the right place to develop and grow your own enterprise. With thousands of bookings taken every week, and using the latest, cutting edge technology with multiple platforms for customers to reserve their journeys, you can earn more with us. And, after you have been with team Whitesides for 6 weeks, we will refund you the cost of your taxi badge by way of subscription relief

Driver Packs

These packs contain all necessary documents along with a comprehensive list of all questions and answers. Also included are step by step instructions on how to apply for your badge, whether that is in Fylde, Blackpool or Wolverhampton. To get your pack please email accounts@whitesidetaxis.co.uk and we will send you an invite to visit us, so we can go through everything you will need to know first.

Become a Taxi Driver

You will need a Private Hire or Hackney licence issued by Fylde Borough Council to drive on our Fylde fleet, a Private Hire Licence issued by Blackpool Council to drive on our Blackpool fleet and a Wolverhampton Private Hire Badge to drive on our Wolverhampton Fleet. We have put together this page to help you get started as we appreciate the process can be daunting to some, but don't worry, our experienced team are here to help you every step of the way

Fylde Council / Blackpool Council / Wolverhampton Council Process

Taxi and Private Hire licences are only issued by the Council after the driver has been checked to ensure that they:

• Have a valid driving licence
• Are a fit and proper person
• Understand the relevant law

All licensed drivers must wear an identification badge, which includes a photograph of the bearer, whilst on duty.

To follow up on an existing enquiry you MUST contact either Fylde Borough Council, Blackpool Council and Wolverhampton Council (whichever council you made the application with). Should you require any assistance with any part of your application process, our team are always here to assist you.

We can not advise on what effect, if any, previous convictions may have on your application. You should speak with the licencing teams at either Fylde, Blackpool or Wolverhampton Licencing about matters of these nature.