Rochford taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

Rochford

Rochford Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

Apply online for combined hackney/private-hire or restricted private-hire licensing. The restricted route covers school contracts and chauffeur work only. Book a knowledge, suitability and document-check appointment. Published targets are six to eight weeks for complete new applications and four weeks for renewals.

• Current driver guidance

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

Vehicle licences last one year. PH applicants provide Basic DBS unless already council-licensed drivers, overseas good-character evidence where applicable, V5 in their name/address, ownership/lease evidence, MOT/compliance check and PH insurance. For a PH vehicle over three years at initial application, its MOT must be no more than 10 days old. The council must approve installed safety cameras. PH plates are secured externally at the rear and council stickers fixed to rear doors. HC first-entry licences are for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, with WAV replacements required; the current policy requires Euro 6 for HC saloon/WAV first licensing and allows continuously licensed non-Euro-6 vehicles present on 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2031.

• Council current policy link
• Current linked combined licensing policy

Operator licensing

Official route/source found

Operators need a home/business base within Rochford and normally receive five-year licences. New and renewal applications are online. The linked policy requires a completed application, right-to-work evidence, Basic DBS unless already a council-licensed driver, vehicle list and fee. Applicants who lived abroad for six continuous months or more since age ten must provide overseas criminal-record/good-character evidence. Planning requirements must be addressed; the operator licence is not transferable. Changes to the holder's or operating-centre address must be notified within 48 hours. Vehicle records must identify licence number, registration, make and type.

Licensing fees

Official route/source found

From 1 April 2026, driver grant/renewal costs £192/£175 for one year or £424/£374 for three years, for combined or single HC/PH licences. HC/PH vehicle grant or renewal is £280, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles; replacement vehicle £60, interim inspection £30. Operator one/five-year fees: one vehicle £106/£280, 2–5 £122/£360, 6–10 £190/£700, 11+ £250/£1,000. DBS is £75 subject to provider changes; additional knowledge test £25.

• Official 2026–27 fees, page 31

Taxi tariff

Official route/source found

Tariff content checked 23 October 2026. The 8 May 2024 current card remains separate from the proposed replacement. The later council statutory notice dated 18 September 2026 proposes 1 November, replacing the earlier committee’s 1 October proposal. It changes the five initial bands to £4.50/£5.50/£6.50/£10.50/£6.50 and includes a time-pulse difference. The objection outcome and final operative card have not been recovered, so proposed figures are not treated as current and no model is enabled.

• Council fare evidence
• Additional council evidence
• Additional council evidence

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

Knowledge testing is required for both routes. Renewals require updated disability-awareness and safeguarding training, DVLA mandate and enhanced DBS Update evidence.

• Current driver guidance