RESEARCHED AUTHORITY
West Berkshire
West Berkshire Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026
- Driver licensing
- Official route/source found
The council offers dual hackney/private-hire or private-hire-only driver licences. Applicants need a valid driving licence held for at least 12 months, Group 2 medical, two character references, DBS and right-to-work evidence. Taxiplus DBS applicants must join the Update Service. Original documents are presented in person by appointment.
- Vehicle licensing
- Official route/source found
The council's Public Protection Partnership service requires a completed private-hire vehicle application, V5C (bill of sale for new vehicles), appropriate private-hire insurance, authorised West Berkshire garage certificate of fitness and a calibrated-meter certificate when fitted. Its MOT guidance requires a certificate less than six months old for vehicles aged six to eight, and less than four months old above eight. The page also states all vehicles need a valid MOT, while separately mentioning ages three to six; applicants with newer vehicles should confirm that wording. Submit documents and fee to the licensing service in Newbury.
- Operator licensing
- Official evidence found; detail still to confirm
The Licensing Committee approved Annex A of the December 2025 taxi policy on 15 December 2025, with delegated transitional arrangements; it is not merely the March consultation draft. Sections 26–29 normally issue five-year operator licences, require right-to-work evidence, original application documents and matching council-licensed drivers and vehicles. Renewals are recommended six weeks before expiry and valid applications no later than five clear working days before expiry; an expired licence cannot accept bookings. Operators inspect original driver/vehicle licences and keep copies throughout engagement. Current PPP guidance also requires a West Berkshire base and booking records, and keeps the originating operator contractually responsible for subcontracted work. Full implementation timetable and the operator-specific DBS/Update Service distinction remain unresolved; the live page's blanket Update Service wording must not be treated as proof of a basic-DBS subscription requirement.
- Licensing fees
- Official evidence found; detail still to confirm
The official outcome report confirms vehicle/operator fees were adopted by Full Council on 26 February 2026 and took effect on 1 April 2026. Hackney, private-hire and dispensation vehicle licences cost £333 new or £296 renewal; temporary licences up to three months £296. Operator fees are £555 new or £407 renewal for one vehicle, increasing £92.50 per vehicle up to 20. At 20 or more vehicles the schedule caps these at £2,312.50 new or £2,164.50 renewal. Operator variation costs £74. This is an adopted schedule, not merely the November consultation proposal.
- Taxi tariff
- Official evidence found; detail still to confirm
The 23 May 2024 Executive decision retained the fare rates agreed in 2023, changing only maximum fouling charges from 27 May 2024. Do not adopt the rejected 2024 shorter-yardage proposal. The official comparison identifies the retained ordinary 1–4 passenger rate as £5 first 1,340.307 yards, then 40p per 243.692 yards, waiting £33/hour. Ordinary five-plus passenger rate is £7.50 over the same included distance, then 60p per 243.692 yards. The printed ordinary window is Monday–Saturday 06:00–21:59 excluding bank/public holidays and 24,25,26,31 December and 1 January. Rates originally commenced 19 June 2023. These are verified historical/adopted terms, not a complete refreshed six-band card: night/festive bands, current fouling amounts, exact pulse rounding and any subsequent operative revision still need direct current-card confirmation.
- Mandatory qualifications
- Official route/source found
Applicants require practical driving assessment, West Berkshire knowledge test, safeguarding and disability training. Both safeguarding and disability-awareness training must be renewed every three years. The council advises on course booking after the application and fee are submitted.
Withheld or still needing confirmation
- Vehicle/operator requirements, adopted fees and complete fare schedule not verified; proposed fees are not treated as adopted.
- Driver licence fees, ordinary operator duration and third-party costs are not verified by this vehicle/operator consultation schedule. PDF numeric text recovered; visual review pending.
- Preserve prior fields. Partial: application page's generic Taxiplus Update Service wording does not establish operator-specific DBS level; current full checklist and fee remain unverified.
- Delegated transitional timetable and current operator-specific disclosure requirements not fully reconciled.
- Full current six-band card, revised fouling amounts and pulse rounding remain outstanding.
- Do not promote rejected 2024 proposal or claim complete calculator coverage.
- Under-three MOT wording is not reconciled; do not infer exemption. Exact entry-age, emissions and fees not extracted.
- Preserve prior verified fields.