Taxi Licensing
Become a hackney taxi/private hire vehicle driver.
Please note: Before issuing an applicant with a Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle drivers licence you must have held a full UK or EU drivers licence for at least one year.
Steps to becoming a taxi driver
- Apply to become a taxi driver
- Pass the relevant exams and checks
- Apply to become a hackney carriage or a private hire driver – or both
Taxi driver application pack
Download the pack or request it is sent to your address:
Print version: Taxi Driver Application Pack
Tel: 01444-477335
Email: taxilicensing@midsussex.gov.uk
Please note that:
- New licences will not be issued without a medical certificate. Further medicals are required at age 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 years and then annually from the age of 66
- You will be required to take a criminal conviction enquiry with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at a cost of £126
- You will need to successfully pass a Driving Standard Agency (DSA) equivalent Taxi/Private Hire Driving assessment
- You will need to complete a spoken English Exam at a cost of £57 or prove that you have a pass in an English Language related subject at Grade C (GCSE) or above or have a certificate showing spoken language ability at CEFR level B2 or above
- You will need to provide two character referees
- First time applicants must pass a ‘taxi knowledge’ test at a cost of £36. Use the phone number above to book a test
You can combine the payment of these costs with your licence fee payment.
Taxi licensing fees
| Fee Type | 1 Year | 3 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney Carriage Vehicle | £288 | |
| Transfer of Hackney Carriage licence to a new
Proprietor / change of vehicle
|
£32 | |
|
New Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence
|
£109 | £230 |
| Renewal of Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence | £200 | |
|
Replacement copy of Licence / Badge / Plate
|
£9 | |
|
Change of address
|
£9 | |
|
Replacement vehicle windscreen wallet
|
£2 | |
|
Spoken English Test
|
£57 |
| Fee Type | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence (31+ Vehicles) | £300 |
£1012 |
|
| Renewal of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence (31+ Vehicles) | £982 | ||
| New Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence (3 - 30 Vehicles) | £248 | £754 | |
| Renewal of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence (3 - 30 Vehicles) | £726 | ||
| New Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence (0 - 2 Vehicles) | £197 | £496 | |
| Renewal of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence (0 - 2 Vehicles) | £466 | ||
| Upgrade of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence | Check with Licensing Officer | ||
| Transfer of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence to a new proprietor/address | £32 | ||
| Private Hire Vehicle Licence | £244 | ||
| Transfer of Private Hire Vehicle Licence to a new proprietor/other vehicle | £32 | ||
| New Private Hire Drivers Licence | £109 | £230 | |
| Renewal of Private Hire Drivers Licence | £200 | ||
| Replacement copy of Licence/Badge/Plate | £9 | ||
| Replacement vehicle windscreen wallet | £2 | ||
| Spoken English Test (Plus administration charge) |
£57 |
||
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
|---|---|
| For each external plate | £25 |
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
|---|---|
| Full Inspection | £48 |
| Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice | £10 |
| Retest if returned within 7 days or 300 miles | No charge |
| Retest if returned more than 7 days after failure | £48 |
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
|---|---|
| New driver Application | £126 |
| Renewal | £81 |
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
|---|---|
| Application and written exam | £36 |
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
|---|---|
| Application check (payment with application) | £7 |
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
| Spoken English Test | £57 |
| Fee Type | Fee/Charge |
|---|---|
| Backing Platform | £9 |
| Number Plate Bracket Kit | £11 |
| Rigid Bridge Kit | £5 |
Print version: Taxi licensing fees 2024-2025
Payment
Card payments can be accepted over the phone – Tel: 01444-477335
If you are paying by cheque – bring this in with your completed forms.
Please note: We cannot accept cash payments.
Renewals
Renewal paperwork is sent out early to give you plenty of time to organise a medical. Please return your paperwork as soon as is possible.
You can also find application forms further down this page.
Please note: Licences will not be issued without a medical certificate and your licence will be terminated until a medical certificate is received.
Hackney carriages
We restrict the amount of hackney carriages that are licensed to 154.
Present number of licensed hackney Carriages: 154 – No further licences can be issued.
More information
Private hire
Licensed Vehicle Accident Reporting
Drivers of Licensed vehicles are required by law to report any damage to their vehicle to the Licensing Team within 72 hours.
Licensed Vehicle CCTV
Please see this document for the technical specification and system requirements for CCTV
Approved CCTV installers
See below for a list of approved CCTV installers
Radio Relay
Old Brighton Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 3JL
Telephone number - 01273 476456
Road Radio
5 Ifield Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH11 7AP
Telephone number - 01293 533612
A C Security Solutions Ltd
Metalflakes Building
Oakcroft Road
Chessington
Surrey
KT9 1RH
Telephone number - 0208 391 8360
4 Eyez Taxi CCTV Systems
Website - https://cctv.taxi/bookings/
Telephone number - 0114 299869
Taxi driving FAQs
If the vehicle is new and has less than 10000 miles recorded on the odometer
You will need to bring the vehicle into the council offices for the licensing officer to examine it.
If the vehicle has more than 10000 miles recorded on the odometer and/or is over one year old
The vehicle will need to undergo a council fitness test at one of our contracted testing stations and an MOT test.
Mr MOT
Teknol House
Victoria Road
Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 9LG
Tel: 01444-254000
Supreme Clutch Services
The Forge
London Road
Felbridge
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 2RQ
Tel: 01342-313136
V & A Automotive
CMW Suzuki
Cuckfield Road
Ansty
Haywards Heath
RH17 5AG
Tel: 01444 452621
Please note that as from the 1st August Parkers Garage at 12 Bridge Road, Haywards Heath are no longer able to provide vehicle fitness certificates.
Any certificates issued by Parkers dated from this date will not be accepted
Please send us the following documents:
- A completed Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle application form made out in the licence holders name
- A copy of the vehicle insurance certificate – showing the correct use
- A copy of the vehicle registration document – V5
- A copy of the MOT certificate if the vehicle is over one year old
- A copy of the council fitness test certificate
- If paying by cheque then we will require a copy sent by fax or email
Please note: There is a fee of £32
The Taxi Licensing office
Fax: 01444-477366
Email: taxilicensing@midsussex.gov.uk
Vehicle plating
If your documentation is correct then the licence transfer will be made. The licensing team will contact you with a time to have the plate fitted.
Please:
- Bring originals of all documents
- Make sure that the vehicle is fitted with the appropriate Vehicle Identification Products (VIP) fittings so that the plate an be properly attached
These can be obtained from the main reception at the Oaklands Haywards Heath council Offices.
Prices:
- Backing platform to hold the plate: £9.00
- Number plate bracket: £11.00
- Rigid bridge kit: £5.00
Very important: You must inform us of your new address or loss of licence in writing within 7 days of moving.
Please complete our Change of address / replacement licence form.
Cost: £9
These can be obtained from the main reception at the Oaklands Haywards Heath Council Offices.
Cost: £2.00 each
Contact us
Tel: 01444-477335
Email: taxilicensing@midsussex.gov.uk