South Holland taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

South Holland

South Holland District Council · Sources checked 10 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

South Holland issues a combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licence. A first-time applicant must arrange the council comprehension and identity-verification appointment, pass the comprehension test before applying, then submit the council form, fee, original driving licence, photograph, safeguarding certificates, medical, approved driving-assessment certificate, Code of Conduct sign-off, DVLA check code, DBS identity documents and right-to-work evidence.

• Taxi Licensing
• Become a Taxi Driver

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

For either a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle, submit the council vehicle form and fee with hire-and-reward insurance, V5 registration document, a current certificate of compliance and test report from an approved garage, and a current LOLER certificate where applicable. Hackney vehicles must meet the council's additional wheelchair-accessibility, age, meter and top-light requirements; private-hire vehicles must work under a licensed private-hire operator.

• Taxi Licensing
• Hackney Carriage Vehicle
• Private Hire Vehicle

Operator licensing

Official route/source found

A South Holland private-hire operator licence normally lasts five years. Submit the council application and fee with right-to-work evidence, any applicable statutory declaration, intended fare list and public-liability insurance. Planning permission is needed where premises will be used as a booking office; applicants who are not already a vehicle proprietor or licensed private-hire driver also need a Basic DBS disclosure.

• Taxi Licensing
• Private Hire Operator

Licensing fees

Official route/source found

The council's licensing schedule is effective from 1 April 2026. A combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver licence is £170 new or £153 renewal. Hackney vehicle licences are £240 new and £229 renewal; private-hire vehicle licences are £211 new and £198 renewal. A private-hire operator licence is £197. These are council fees; separately charged DBS, medical, assessment and training costs should not be merged into them.

• Licensing fees effective from 1 April 2026

Taxi tariff

Official route/source found

The council's current page sets maximum Hackney Carriage fares but does not state their effective date. Day rate, 7:30am to 11pm, starts at £2.70 including the first 1/12 mile, then 15p per further 1/12 mile; the night/Sunday/bank-holiday rate starts at £3.60 then 20p per 1/12 mile; Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day starts at £4.50 then 25p per 1/12 mile. Waiting is 10p, 15p or 20p per 30 seconds by rate. Private-hire prices are not presented as this council tariff.

• Table of taxi fares

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

New drivers must have held a full UK or EU driving licence for at least 12 months, pass a council comprehension test and the Blue Lamp Trust taxi-driving assessment, meet the council medical standard through a doctor with access to their records, complete an Enhanced DBS check and remain on the DBS Update Service, provide safeguarding-training certificates and demonstrate the right to work. The council page also requires a signed Driver Code of Conduct.

• Become a Taxi Driver
• Private Hire Operator