The rules have changed with regards to renewing licences for people and businesses who drive or operate taxis and private hire vehicles, or deal in scrap metal. From Monday 4 April, applicants now need to complete a tax check, before submitting a licence renewal.

The tax check confirms that you are registered for tax. After completing the tax check, you will be given a code, which you then give to the licensing authority with your licence application. They will not be able to process your application without it. Each tax check code is valid for 120 days.

To complete the check, you will need to know:

• Your Government Gateway user ID and password,
• The date you first got your licence,
• The length of your most recent licence,
• How you pay tax on the income you earn from your licensed trade.

If you have never held a licence of the same type before, or your licence ceased to be valid over a year before your new application, then you do not need to complete the tax check.

For more information, or to complete your tax check, go to to the gov.uk website. There are many ways HMRC can help if you need extra support.

Our Business Growth Team can also signpost you to sources of loans and grants, and help complete any complex applications. Visit our Access to finance page for more information and resources.