Wealden taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

Wealden

Wealden Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

Wealden issues a dual driver licence for hackney-carriage and private-hire work. A new applicant must have held a full DVLA, Northern Ireland or other EEA driving licence for at least 36 months and provide DVLA history, an enhanced DBS disclosure, a Group 2 medical and identity/right-to-work evidence. Applicants must pass the council knowledge test and an approved practical driving assessment; a current PCV licence exempts the practical assessment. New applicants from 1 June 2024 must also complete approved safeguarding, disability-awareness and customer-care training. Drivers must maintain DBS Update Service membership. The council requires a medical at renewal until age 65 and annually thereafter, and renewal applicants must repeat the mandatory courses unless completed within the preceding three years.

• Renew a Dual Driver Licence

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

First licensing is under 7 at issue. Continuing maximum ages are 9 for petrol/diesel/mild-hybrid/LPG and 15 for WAV/electric/full-hybrid. Bring form, appropriate hire-and-reward insurance, VCT certificate/inspection and V5 to the licensing appointment. Four doors, first-aid kit and extinguisher are required. Rear tint is permitted at 30% or greater light transmission with compliant internal CCTV. Testing is annual, twice yearly over 10; the council recommends separate MOT because VCT is not on DVLA's database. Display internal and external rear plates and rear-door badges.

• Vehicle application
• Vehicle age limits
• Compliance testing

Operator licensing

Official route/source found

Require suitable character and operating address in Wealden. Basic DBS applies; an existing Wealden dual driver does not need another DBS or separate references. An operator licence may be held without a driver licence.

• Current council guidance

Licensing fees

Official route/source found

The council's published 2026–27 schedule lists new dual-driver licences at £298 for one year or £595 for three years; renewals £275/£550 respectively. Hackney/private-hire vehicle applications without mechanical inspection are £353 new and £309 renewal. Operator licences cost £353 for three years or £574 for five; fleets over 20 vehicles are £706/£1,148. Second/third knowledge tests cost £65/£89 and English proficiency £52. A three-month relief private-hire vehicle licence is £150, with a further three-month renewal £83. Correct fees must accompany applications; cheques are not accepted.

• Current council licensing fees

Taxi tariff

Current council fare card confirmed

Tariff content checked 23 October 2026. The council card expressly applies from 7 September 2026. The first 69 yards cost £3.70 ordinary day, £5 night/ordinary bank holidays or £6.60 festive; subsequent 69-yard units cost 10p/15p/20p. The higher 15p/25p/30p distance pulses apply to vehicles LICENSED for five or more passengers, regardless of how many are actually carried. Waiting and pre-booking conditions remain separately stated. Partial-unit treatment is not fully explicit; no model is enabled.

• Council fare evidence

Mandatory qualifications

Official evidence found; detail still to confirm

Dual applicants take local knowledge and practical taxi assessments; current PCV holders are exempt from the practical test. Safeguarding/disability courses and customer-care questionnaires have been required since 1 June 2024, with Blue Lamp, Learning Curve or Green Penny options. Applicants without secondary-level English evidence take an English test. Group 2 medicals accompany renewal, annually after 65. The page normally requires 36 months holding a driving licence but separately mentions an advanced-assessment exception; confirm eligibility before paying. Training refreshers are not established here.

• Current new-driver guidance