Renew Your Taxi Badge Before It Expires
A lapsed badge means lost earnings. We help you get your renewal ready in good time: we check what your council expects, arrange your DBS and medical, and make sure your paperwork is complete before it reaches the council.
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General guidance only. Licensing decisions always rest with your council or TfL.
Which council issued your badge?
Pick your council to see how we can help you renew with them.
From expiry date to submitted application
This is the route most renewals take when we support them.
Share your details
Let us know which council licensed you and the date your badge runs out. That is enough to begin.
We map out what's due
We work out which checks, documents and fees your council expects, and which of them you already have.
We prepare and follow up
Your paperwork is reviewed, any DBS or medical is arranged, and we chase the application with the council after it goes in.
Request your badge renewal
Tell us which council licensed you and when your badge expires. An adviser will review your request and get back to you.
- Quick to fill inYour name, phone number, council and expiry date are enough to get started.
- No documents needed yetOnce we know your council, we'll tell you exactly what to send and when.
- A real adviser repliesWe explain what is due for your renewal and what happens next.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted about your renewal. See our Privacy Policy.
What to know before you renew
General points that apply to most licensing authorities. Your own council's rules always come first.
Renewal or new application?
A renewal is normally lighter than starting from scratch because you are already on the council's records. Even so, you must prove your checks and documents are current, and some councils add refresher tests or training.
How soon should you begin?
Sooner than you think. Councils set their own application windows and turnaround times, so giving yourself a comfortable buffer is the surest way to keep your licence unbroken.
Already past your expiry date?
Driving as a licensed driver on an expired licence is not allowed, and some councils will make you reapply as a new driver. Speak to us or your council straight away so you know where you stand.
Licensed in London?
London taxi and private hire licences are issued by TfL, not a borough council, and TfL has its own process. We support TFL/PCO renewals too, so just tell us which licence you hold.
Paperwork and checks to line up
Exact requirements vary from council to council, but these are the items we see asked for most often.
- Enhanced DBS certificateAn up-to-date criminal record check including the barred lists, or your DBS Update Service details if your council takes them.
- Group 2 medicalA doctor's assessment of your fitness to drive, requested by many councils at set ages or intervals.
- Refresher tests or trainingSome councils want proof that your knowledge or skills are still current at renewal.
- Driving licence and DVLA codeYour photocard licence plus a fresh check code so the council can view your driving record.
- Proof you can work in the UKEvidence of your right to work, in the form your council accepts.
- Fee, photos and address proofThe council's renewal fee, recent passport-style photographs and a document showing where you live.
What will your renewal cost?
Your total depends on your council's renewal fee plus any DBS check or medical that is due. Our calculator helps you work out an estimate for your situation.
Open the cost calculatorRenewal FAQs
Straight answers to the questions drivers raise most often.
How does taxi badge renewal work?
The council that licensed you handles your renewal. You apply to them, show that your checks and documents are current, and pay their fee. We help by working out what's needed, arranging the checks and preparing a complete application.
When is the right time to apply?
Check how far ahead your council lets you apply, then go early within that window. Turnaround times change, and an early application leaves room for any problems to be fixed before your badge runs out.
What if I miss my expiry date?
You must not work as a licensed driver without a valid licence. Depending on the council, a late renewal may have to be treated as a fresh application, which can cost more and take longer. Contact us as soon as you realise.
Is a fresh DBS certificate always needed?
Not always. Some councils insist on a new Enhanced DBS at renewal, while others accept a subscription to the DBS Update Service. We check your council's position before you spend anything.
Will I have to take a medical again?
Often, yes. Many councils want a Group 2 medical at renewal or at certain ages. We can tell you whether yours is due and help you book it.
Can I switch councils when renewing?
A renewal stays with the council that already licenses you. Moving to a different council generally means applying to them as a new driver. If you're weighing that up, we can talk through your options.
How long will my renewal take?
That is down to the council, and it varies, so nobody can promise an exact date. A complete application submitted early gives you the best chance of avoiding delays.
My council isn't listed. Can I still request a renewal?
Yes, you can send us a request. Choose "Other council" in the enquiry form, or email us your council's name, your badge expiry date and your contact details. We'll review it and tell you whether and how we can help. Support for councils outside our main list can't be guaranteed.
Do you issue the badge?
No. We are an independent support provider, not a council or TfL. Only the licensing authority can renew your badge and it makes the final decision. We help your application arrive complete and correct, but we can't guarantee an outcome or a timescale.
Not sure where to begin?
Send us your council and the date your badge expires, and we'll tell you what to do next.