Proposed changes to taxi and private hire licence fees
As part of our draft budget for 2023/24, we are proposing to increase most fees and charges by 10% in order to cover the costs of the service being charged for.
However, we understand the pressure of rising costs and recognise some businesses and individuals would find a 10% increase unaffordable.
We are therefore proposing an increase of just 5% to most taxi and private hire licence fees, which is below inflation so represents a real-terms cut in prices.
The new fees would take effect from April 2023 and are shown below.
| 2022/23 fee | Proposed 2023/24 fee | Proposed increase | |
| Taxi initial | £415.16 | £435.92 | 5% |
| Private hire vehicle initial | £309.25 | £324.71 | 5% |
| Taxi renewal | £270.19 | £283.70 | 5% |
| Private hire vehicle renewal | £262.28 | £275.39 | 5% |
| 7th additional year exceptional condition further inspection fee | £109.28 | £114.74 | 5% |
| Electric power taxi | £143.69 | £150.87 | 5% |
| Electric power private hire | £140.97 | £148.02 | 5% |
| LPG/CNG power private hire | £140.97 | £148.02 | 5% |
| Taxi driver initial | £267.80 | £281.12 | 5% |
| Private hire driver initial | £267.80 | £281.19 | 5% |
| Licence check for new drivers | £10.60 | £11.13 | 5% |
| Taxi driver renewal | £86.88 | £91.22 | 5% |
| Private hire driver renewal | £85.23 | £89.49 | 5% |
| Private hire operators (valid 2 years) – per vehicle | £59.02 | £61.97 | 5% |
| Transfer of temporary vehicle (loan vehicles) | £140.38 | £147.40 | 5% |
| Meter test (taxi) | £66.85 | £70.19 | 5% |
| Taxi driver knowledge test | £80.23 | £84.24 | 5% |
| Taxi driver knowledge test (resit) | £80.23 | £84.24 | 5% |
| If taxi fare increase agreed by council, all meters to be tested within two months | £59.07 | £62.02 | 5% |
| Taxi plates – external | £40.12 | £42.13 | 5% |
| Taxi plates – internal | £26.72 | £28.06 | 5% |
| Private hire corporate window plates (per pair) | £33.42 | £35.09 | 5% |
| Replacing of vehicles | £140.38 | £147.40 | 5% |
| Motorcycle private hire | £267.33 | £280.70 | 5% |
| Dual drive badge fee | £130.35 | £136.87 | 5% |
| Replacement fee for lost driver’s badge | £6.70 | £7.37 | 10% |
| Replacement fee for lost vehicle plates | £13.39 | £14.73 | 10% |
| Replacement fee for lost driver log books | £13.39 | £14.73 | 10% |
| Charge for approval of advertising | £86.88 | £95.57 | 10% |
This consultation on these proposals closed on Thursday 2 March 2023. All the feedback we receive will be reported to councillors who will set the budget for the coming year.
Published: 11 November 2022