UK taxi & private hire
Compare Estimated taxi and private hire licence costs by council
Choose any council in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to see the badge, criminal record check, medical, knowledge test and vehicle licence costs in one place. Add a second council to compare them side by side.
- 380+ councils covered
- 5 costs in one view
- Free to use
Popular councils
How the calculator works
It's really simple, and it only takes three small steps.
Choose your council
Pick the council you're hoping to be licensed by. This is usually the area where you plan to work.
Tell us what you need
Let us know whether you'd like a taxi or private hire licence, and whether it's new or a renewal.
Compare and plan
Look through each cost, add a second council if you'd like, and use the total to plan your budget with confidence.
What does a taxi licence cost include?
Your total is made up of the costs below. Every council sets its own fees, so the same licence can cost quite different amounts depending on where you apply. Here's what each one means, in plain English.
Driver licence or badge fee
This is what the council charges to look at your application and issue your licence. A few councils charge for the application and the badge separately.
Enhanced DBS check
This is a criminal record check that every applicant needs. Some councils also kindly ask you to join the DBS Update Service so your check can be refreshed easily.
Medical examination
The council needs to know you're fit to drive passengers, so you'll usually see a GP or an approved doctor. The price depends on who you choose.
Knowledge test
Many councils like to check that you know the local roads, the licensing rules and passenger safety. Some also ask for an English test, and there may be a small fee if you need to retake it.
Vehicle licence and plate
If you'll be driving your own taxi or private hire car, the vehicle needs its own licence, plate and regular checks. This is separate from your own driver licence.
Want it all added up?
Pop your council into the calculator at the top of the page and we'll total everything for you.
Find your council's taxi badge guide
Every council has its own rules, tests and fees. Choose yours below to see what's involved in getting your badge and how we can help. Fees change from council to council, so please check the current prices with your official council before you apply.
Knowsley
What's involved in getting your Knowsley taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →TfL / PCO (London)
What's involved in getting your TfL taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Wolverhampton
What's involved in getting your Wolverhampton taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Oldham
What's involved in getting your Oldham taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Sheffield
What's involved in getting your Sheffield taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Liverpool
What's involved in getting your Liverpool taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Leicester
What's involved in getting your Leicester taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Rochdale
What's involved in getting your Rochdale taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Bury
What's involved in getting your Bury taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Bolton
What's involved in getting your Bolton taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Stockport
What's involved in getting your Stockport taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Wigan
What's involved in getting your Wigan taxi badge, and how we can help. See the badge guide →Taxi vs private hire: what's the difference?
Lots of people aren't sure what the difference is, so here it is in simple terms. A taxi (hackney carriage) can be waved down on the street or picked up from a rank. A private hire vehicle always needs to be booked in advance through a licensed operator. The two are licensed separately, so the costs and requirements can differ.
| Feature | Taxi (hackney carriage) | Private hire |
|---|---|---|
| How passengers book | Hail on the street, use a rank, or pre-book | Pre-booked through an operator only |
| Driver licence | Taxi driver licence | Private hire driver licence |
| Knowledge test | Often stricter, usually with a local topographical element | Varies by council |
| Vehicle | Council-approved taxi, often a purpose-built or wheelchair-accessible model | Licensed saloon or MPV |
| Operator licence | Not needed | Needed to take bookings |
| Cost | Check the calculator for your council | Check the calculator for your council |
A few extra costs to keep in mind
The calculator covers the main fees, but we'd hate for anything to catch you by surprise. These are easy to forget:
- Knowledge or English test resit fees
- Renewal fees when your licence runs out
- Passport-style photos for your application
- The DBS Update Service subscription, if your council asks for it
- Vehicle compliance tests and any re-tests
- Taxi or private hire insurance
- Safeguarding, disability awareness or other training your council requires
- An operator licence, if you plan to take bookings yourself
How we'd love to help you
We're an independent training and application-support team. Your council or TfL always makes the final licensing decision, but we'd be delighted to make the journey feel clearer and easier for you.
Questions people often ask
How much does a taxi licence cost in the UK?
It really depends on your council, as each one sets its own fees. Most people pay a licence or badge fee, an enhanced DBS check, a medical and a knowledge test, plus a vehicle licence if they own the car. The easiest way to see your exact total is to pop your council into the calculator above.
Which council has the cheapest taxi licence?
Fees differ quite a bit from one council to another, and they do change over time. We'd suggest choosing two councils in the calculator to compare them side by side. Please also bear in mind that the council you're licensed by usually decides where you're allowed to work.
Is the DBS check included in the cost?
Yes, it is. We show the enhanced DBS check as its own line, so you can see exactly how much it adds to your total.
Is this calculator accurate?
We do our very best. The figures are estimates based on the fees councils publish, and they are not confirmed prices. Councils can update their fees at any time, so please confirm the final amount with your official council before you apply for your badge.
What is the difference between a taxi and a private hire licence?
A taxi (hackney carriage) can be hailed on the street or picked up from a rank. A private hire vehicle always needs to be booked in advance through a licensed operator. They're licensed separately, so the requirements and costs can be different.
How long does a taxi licence last?
It depends on your council, but it's commonly somewhere between one and three years. Please check your council's rules and set a little budget aside for renewal when the time comes.
Can I apply to any council?
In general, you apply to the council where you'd like to work, because that council licenses both you and your vehicle. Some drivers choose a council with lower fees or simpler requirements, but you can only work within the rules of the council that licensed you.
Does UK Taxi College issue licences?
No, we don't, and we'd like to be completely clear about that. We're an independent training and application-support provider. Your council or Transport for London makes every licensing decision, and training can't guarantee approval or how long it takes.
Not sure which council is right for you?
That's completely okay, and we'd be happy to help. Just tell us where you'd like to work and we'll gladly help you find the smoothest route to your badge. It's free, friendly and there's no obligation.