Babergh taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

Babergh

Babergh Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

The 2024–2029 policy commenced 1 October 2024. Applicants obtain an enhanced barred-list DBS and register for DBS Update, provide a Group 2 medical and complete the online application after preparatory steps.

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

The council licenses vehicles with up to eight passenger seats. Hackney vehicles use white plates and an illuminated roof sign; private-hire vehicles use yellow plates. Full specifications remain to extract.

Operator licensing

Official route/source found

Operator licences last five years. Non-licensed-driver applicants need basic disclosure and a Level 2 Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver certificate. All applicants provide booking telephone numbers and associated addresses, assistance-dog/disability/safeguarding policies, public-liability cover for publicly accessible offices, and company registration/OFCOM documents where applicable. Request the form by email with applicant/contact and linked business details.

• Operator application

Licensing fees

Official evidence found; detail still to confirm

Cabinet approved the 2026–27 fees on 11 November 2025; the updated report explicitly freezes taxi licensing charges. The indexed council appendix shows HC vehicle new/renewal £345, PH vehicle new/renewal £319.50, vehicle change £156 and combined HC/PH driver new/renewal £322. Driver duration is not specified on the recovered table, so £322 must not be described as an annual charge. Operator bands and the final updated appendix need direct verification before a complete fee schedule can be given.

• 2026–27 approved fee decision
• 2026–27 cabinet appendix indexed fee table
• Updated report confirms taxi fee freeze

Taxi tariff

Official route/source found

Current-linked fares effective9March2023: first mile or part £5/£7.50/£10/£12.50 for tariffs1–4; subsequent tenths of a mile20p/30p/40p/50p; waiting minute33p/50p/66p/83p. For1–4 passengers T1 applies07:00–22:30, T2 overnight/bank holidays; T3 applies18:00 Christmas Eve–07:00 December27 and18:00 New Year's Eve–07:00 January2. For5–8 passengers use T2/T3/T4 respectively. No luggage, shopping, wheelchair, mobility-scooter or assistance-dog surcharge; tolls may be added.

• Current taxi guidance fare link
• Current-linked fare table effective9March2023

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

Pass the English test (£47), driving assessment and two-day Level 2 professional taxi/private-hire driver course. Discuss convictions with licensing before starting.