Taxi and private hire drivers must meet Group 2 medical standards — significantly more stringent than ordinary car driving requirements. These enhanced standards reflect the responsibility of transporting fare-paying passengers and the extended hours typical of professional taxi work. Our taxi medical examinations are carried out by GMC-registered doctors from £95.
Group 2 Medical Standards
Group 2 standards recognise that taxi drivers spend considerably more time on the road than average motorists, often working 10–12 hour shifts in demanding urban environments. The assessment covers your physical fitness, sensory function, and overall health to ensure you can safely carry passengers throughout your working day.
What the Examination Covers
Your taxi medical includes a detailed medical history review, cardiovascular evaluation with blood pressure monitoring, neurological testing covering reflexes, coordination, and cognitive function, and a thorough physical examination. We assess all aspects of your health according to current Group 2 standards for professional passenger transport.
Vision and Hearing Requirements
Visual standards for taxi drivers are among the most demanding in professional transport. We test distance and near visual acuity, peripheral vision, colour vision, and night vision. If you wear corrective lenses, we ensure your vision meets required standards and verify you carry spare glasses while driving.
Managing Health Conditions
Drivers with diabetes need adequate glucose control and hypoglycaemia awareness — bring your HbA1c results and monitoring records. Heart conditions require stability and may need specialist reports. We coordinate with your existing healthcare providers to ensure proper medical management and licensing compliance.
Council Licensing and Certification
Our Group 2 medical certificates are accepted by licensing authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales for both hackney carriage and private hire licensing. Certificates are typically valid for three years for drivers under 45, with shorter validity for older drivers. Some councils have specific requirements — we maintain current knowledge of local authority variations.
