Luton taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

Luton

Luton Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

Pass the relevant knowledge test before submitting a driver application. Provide a driving licence held for at least 12 months when booking. Tests take place in person at the Town Hall; a dual applicant books the hackney-carriage test.

• Knowledge tests

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

Current-linked March 2026 application pack: first licensing normally requires a vehicle no older than five years; Euro 6 diesel, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles may be up to seven years. New and renewal applications require original ownership/V5C evidence, hire insurance (including fleet schedule where relevant), a compliance certificate and separate inspection sheet. The certificate must be issued within one month of a new application or renewal expiry; vehicles undergo an annual test before renewal. New ownership may instead be evidenced by the specified manufacturer/dealer invoice or solicitor-confirmed private purchase; missing renewal V5C requires DVLA evidence and the original within six weeks. Company documents must consistently identify the company. Door-sign, plate or tint exemptions require written approval before testing. Wheelchair lifts require a six-month-valid LOLER certificate. The pack's six-month appointment heading alone is not treated as a universal testing interval.

• Current official vehicle licensing requirements and policy evidence
• Current official vehicle licensing requirements and policy evidence

Operator licensing

Official route/source found

The current April 2026 operator application pack requires a complete application with driver/vehicle lists; a photograph taken within 12 months for every owner, partner or director; two identity documents, at least one photographic; and basic criminal-record disclosure no older than one calendar month. Every individual in a partnership must supply the supporting documentation. Public-access premises require public liability insurance. Standard duration is five years; the pack quotes £3,550.50 for that term. Applicable HMRC tax-check requirements are explained separately. Applications/documents may be emailed or posted to licensing. Standard conditions require journey particulars to be retained at the notified business address at least three months, extendable by written council notice. Plate-exempt executive work has separate 12-month contract/work-division records; that special rule must not be substituted for ordinary booking retention. This is a current application-pack review, not an invented commencement date for all underlying conditions.

• Current operator hub
• Current official operator licensing requirements and policy evidence
• Current official operator licensing requirements and policy evidence

Licensing fees

Official route/source found

Current-linked April 2026 pack specifies £3,550.50 for a five-year operator licence.

Taxi tariff

Official evidence found; detail still to confirm

Tariff content checked 23 October 2026. The current vehicle hub links a relocated card expressly effective 5 March 2024. Town fare starts at £4 for 876 metres, then 20p per started 146 metres; town night/bank-holiday fare starts at £4.60 for 500 metres, then 20p per 116 metres. Airport bands have distinct initial allowances and stages. Carrying more than four passengers invokes the higher T2/A2 bands; festive rates and airport conditions are separate. The dead older card link is replaced. No zone/airport calculator adapter is enabled.

• Council fare evidence
• Additional council evidence

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

Standard private-hire/hackney knowledge testing has 26 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes covering places, journeys, conditions, numeracy and Highway Code. The separate airport test has eight questions in 20 minutes and needs six correct; national-airport testing has 23 questions in 30 minutes with each category passed.

• Knowledge tests