Vale of White Horse taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

Vale of White Horse

Vale of White Horse Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

Applicants must have held their DVLA driving licence for 12 months before starting the process. The council asks applicants to book the knowledge test by email with their name, mobile number, driving-licence images and intended operator.

• New taxi driver application

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

For new vehicles, send all V5C pages first to obtain a plate number before the compliance test. Without V5C, provide evidence of Euro category and that the vehicle is not an A, B or S write-off. Applications require appropriate insurance, authorised-garage compliance certificate and basic DBS unless holding the council's current driver licence. If another person is the registered keeper, supply lease/hire documentation and permission. Apply at least four weeks before renewal; a lapsed licence cannot work until newly licensed and plated. Reduced fees apply only to zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

• Current council vehicle application guidance

Operator licensing

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Submit the application with disability-awareness/safeguarding certification dated within three years, at least £5m public-liability insurance and the fleet-size fee. Applicants not holding a council driver licence also provide right-to-work evidence and a Basic DBS at application and annually thereafter, and pass a knowledge test. The council inspects the base, including customer waiting space, communications and recordkeeping. Planning permission may be needed. Apply for renewal at least six weeks before expiry; no bookings may be accepted after lapse until a new licence is issued. Submit legible documents through the online portal, or contact licensing.unit@whitehorsedc.gov.uk if upload confirmation is missing.

• Current operator application checklist

Licensing fees

Official route/source found

From 1 April 2026: three-year HC/PH driver licence £434.50 and knowledge test £68.50. One-year HC vehicle £389, or £110 for zero-emission/wheelchair-accessible; PH vehicle £242, or £95 for those categories. Five-year operator fees are £589 for 1–2 vehicles, £748.50 for 3–4, £934.50 for 5–14 and £1,165.50 for 15+. Vehicle ownership transfer £82, vehicle change £111.50, replacement plate £58 and replacement badge £50.50. Vale operator fees differ from South Oxfordshire despite the shared service.

• Official taxi licence fees from 1 April 2026

Taxi tariff

Official route/source found

Effective20April2024, confirmed by current council guidance. Tariffs1/2/3 start£5.90/£7.85/£11.70 including one mile; subsequent176yards or161metres (one-tenth mile) cost30p/40p/50p; waiting per minute same amounts. T1 06:00–21:59. T2 22:00–01:59, Sundays/bank/public holidays/Easter Sunday and Christmas/New Year's Eves20:00–21:59. T3 02:00–05:59, Christmas/Boxing/New Year's Day, eves22:00–23:59 and27December06:00–06:59. More than four passengers adds£1.50 per extra passenger; soiling maximum£150. Fares include VAT where applicable. Out-of-district fares can be negotiated before departure; otherwise the meter tariff applies.

• Current fare guidance confirms adoption and commencement
• Operative card from20April2024

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

The approximately one-hour knowledge test covers licensing policy and safeguarding, Highway Code and district geography. A street map is allowed for geography. Booking is non-refundable; missing the appointment or failing to give two clear working days' cancellation notice requires payment again.

• New taxi driver application