Wokingham taxi and private-hire licensing

RESEARCHED AUTHORITY

Wokingham

Wokingham Council · Sources checked 13 September 2026

Driver licensing

Official route/source found

The council issues dual or private-hire-only driver licences. Applicants need 12 months driving experience, Group 2 medical with GP, two references, DBS and right-to-work evidence. Arrange an appointment for original documents.

• Current council guidance

Vehicle licensing

Official route/source found

Private-hire vehicle applicants submit the application with V5C, a bill of sale for new vehicles, appropriate private-hire insurance, MOT where required and a certificate of fitness from an authorised Wokingham garage. A fitted meter requires a calibration certificate from an approved Wokingham meter agent. Completed documents go to Licensing@wokingham.gov.uk or the council at Shute End. The current service page, last updated 25 November 2024, links the licensing policy and separate fee schedule.

• Current council vehicle application guidance

Operator licensing

Official evidence found; detail still to confirm

The current-linked policy, in force through 30 April 2029, requires every operating base to be listed and inside Wokingham. Only matching-authority vehicles/drivers may be dispatched; subcontracting is permitted but the original operator remains responsible and must check the receiving operator's licensing. Policy §4.16–4.20 requires basic DBS no older than one month at application and annually thereafter for operators/partners/directors/secretaries, exempting current council-licensed drivers. Booking/dispatch staff require checked basic certificates and a staff register retained six months; booking records also have six-month retention. Applicants without five continuous UK-resident years need authenticated English good-conduct evidence. The application webpage still describes enhanced DBS and says Update Service is not mandatory, conflicting with the more specific current operator-policy route; this needs council clarification, not a blanket statement that all operators require enhanced checks.

• Current official operator licensing requirements and policy evidence
• Current official operator licensing requirements and policy evidence

Licensing fees

Official evidence found; detail still to confirm

The current-linked 2026–27 schedule states fees from 1 April 2026: hackney and private-hire/school-transport vehicles £374 new or renewal; temporary vehicle licence up to three months £299. Driver new/renewal £350 and conversion to another licence type £104. New private-hire operators start at £609 for one vehicle, adding £95 per extra vehicle; renewals start at £456 with the same £95 steps. The published schedule continues the £95 increment beyond 20 vehicles rather than capping it.

• Current council licensing fees
• Current council licensing fees

Taxi tariff

Official route/source found

The current vehicle-licensing page links the council card effective 4 April 2022. All bands include first 440 yards or 110 seconds, then each started 120 yards or 30 seconds: T1 £3 +20p; T2 £4.50 +30p; T3 £6 +40p. T1 daily 06:00–22:30; T2 22:30–06:00, bank/public holidays and Christmas/New Year's eves 18:00–22:30. T3 after 22:30 on those eves, all Christmas Day/New Year's Day and Boxing Day until 27 December 06:00. Soiling interior £75/exterior £15. More than four passengers adds £2 for each additional passenger, outside the meter. Outside-borough journeys use this maximum scale unless otherwise agreed before departure. The card excludes vehicles booked through a private-hire operator. Initial distance-or-time allowance must not be treated as independently additive waiting.

• Current vehicle page links fare card
• Fare card effective 4 April 2022

Mandatory qualifications

Official route/source found

Practical driving assessment, council knowledge, disability-awareness and safeguarding training are required.

• Current council guidance