East Hampshire taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

East Hampshire

East Hampshire District Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

Applicants must be over 21, have three years post-qualification driving experience, suitable English, right to work, DBS with Update Service consent and own-GP Group 2 medical reviewed by the council medical examiner. Overseas conduct evidence covers six continuous months abroad since age ten, with military-service exception. Published processing estimate 6–8 weeks may be exceeded.

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

Check the proposed make/model with licensing before applying. Ordinary first-time vehicles are generally accepted only under five years old, measured from registration; wheelchair-accessible vehicles have no initial upper age limit. Vehicle size, luggage space and mechanical suitability must be acceptable. Apply with fee, registration or suitable ownership proof, insurance effective from licence commencement, MOT where required and a mechanical pass from a council-nominated centre. New vehicles with only delivery mileage do not need that mechanical certificate.

• Current vehicle application guidance

Operator licensing

Official route/source found

Policy requires suitability, right-to-work and relevant overseas criminal-record evidence. Keep booking records for two years and booking/dispatch staff register with basic DBS checks and ex-offender employment policy. Outsourced booking functions need equivalent documented safeguards. Notify ownership/partnership/director changes within five working days. Subcontracting records identify the receiving operator and council; original operator remains responsible to the customer.

• Current drivers/operators policy

Licensing fees

Official route/source found

2026/27 published charges: operator one/five years £146/£355; HC/PH vehicle new or annual renewal £161; driver new one/three years £173/£235, renewal £168/£204; knowledge test £41, proprietor transfer £40 and temporary vehicle £69.

• 2026/27 fees

Taxi tariff

Official route/source found

Current-linked card effective 1 September 2022: daily 06:00–23:00 starts £4 for 528 yards or six minutes (or combined parts), then 20p per 176 yards or 40 seconds. Night 23:00–06:00, Christmas/New Year eves 18:00–24:00 and other official bank holidays use £6/30p; Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day use £8/40p. Printed first-mile fares are £5.40/£8.10/£10.80 and subsequent miles £2/£3/£4. Extras include Sunday daytime £1, each passenger beyond one 30p, non-assistance dog 40p, soiling £75, pre-booking £3, tolls, and a conditional fuel surcharge up to 50p when fuel reaches £1.50/litre.

• Current vehicle application guidance
• Current linked fare card, Word despite PDF label
• Current-linked fare card, from 1 September 2022

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

Approved driving assessment; knowledge test covering roads, literacy/numeracy, Highway Code and driver role; approved safeguarding classroom or virtual classroom, not self-paced e-learning. Required BTEC or MiDAS depends on licence type and must be achieved within twelve months of grant.