RESEARCHED AUTHORITY
Solihull
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026
- Driver licensing
- Official route/source found
Complete pre-application requirements then book an appointment at licensing@solihull.gov.uk; no walk-ins. Supply DVLA licence, photograph and application. Revised policy applies from 1 July 2026.
- Vehicle licensing
- Official route/source found
Approved-station MOT and supplementary test required; modified seating needs IVA and revised V5C. Basic DBS applies unless exempt as an existing licensed driver/Update Service subscriber. Conditional LPG, LOLER and M1 certificates may be required. Hackney meter calibration evidence must be within twelve months.
- Operator licensing
- Official route/source found
Book an appointment after preparing basic DBS within one month (subject to driver/Update Service exceptions), disability training within six months, right-to-work, tax check if applicable, two references, application and at least £5m public-liability insurance. Requirements apply to partners/directors as specified.
- Licensing fees
- Official route/source found
2026/27 schedule: new-driver application charge £61.50 plus three-year licence £387; renewal £387. Vehicle new £182/renewal £171. Knowledge test £101; full-day training £98. Operator renewal five-year tiers list £488 'up to 5 drivers' and £1,080 '5 or more'; the overlapping five-driver boundary requires council clarification.
- Taxi tariff
- Official evidence found; detail still to confirm
Official card footer October2024 (March2026 upload). T1 £3.20 first187.5yd then20p/125yd until1062.5yd, then20p/172.5yd; wait20p/38.7s. T2 £3.20 first180.5yd then20p/90.3yd until632yd, then20p/152.4yd; wait20p/36.9s. T3 £4.20 first220yd then30p/110yd until770yd, then30p/172yd; wait30p/45s. Card T1 wording says07–22 Sunday–Friday and Saturday; T2 Friday/Saturday22–07, Boxing Day and24/31December18–24; T3 Christmas Day and New Year's Day00–07. Other weekday nights are not explicitly assigned by that wording. Meter changes tariffs in-hire using real-time clock. Extras:20p passenger above one,20p outside-compartment luggage,£5 uncaged pets,£20 bulky items, actual road/barrier charges.
- Mandatory qualifications
- Official route/source found
Blue Lamp practical driving certificate under twelve months, enhanced DBS for taxi/private-hire other workforce including adults/children barred lists, and Update Service subscription within thirty days. Full policy training and medical conditions should be checked against the July 2026 policy.
Withheld or still needing confirmation
- Current numeric fare card remains missing.
- Full medical/training requirements need reconciliation between live driver guide and full July 2026 policy.
- Operator five-driver fee boundary is contradictory; do not auto-select a tier for exactly five.
- New operator grant fee not verified.
- Official card numeric text recovered; legal commencement date not printed. Weekday-night wording gap and in-hire tariff changes prevent simple calculator activation.