Official DVA sources checked

Northern Ireland taxi licensing: the central DVA route

Northern Ireland does not use separate council taxi-licensing routes. The Driver & Vehicle Agency Passenger Transport Licensing Division manages taxi driver, vehicle and operator licensing across Northern Ireland.

Sources rechecked 13 September 2026. This is practical guidance, not legal advice; always confirm the live official service before paying or applying.

Taxi driver licence

Applications and renewals are online; paper applications are not accepted.
Apply at least 16 weeks before you want to start.
Published application fees: £140 first application and £105 renewal.
First-time applicants, and renewals more than two years after expiry, need the taxi theory and practical tests.
A full Category B licence must have been held continuously for at least three years.
DVA checks an enhanced AccessNI disclosure, right to work and medical evidence when required. Overseas history can require Certificates of Good Conduct.
Renewal periodic training is 35 hours, including at least 3.5 hours of disability-awareness training from approved provision.

Official driver service

Official driver assessment detail

Taxi vehicle licence

Applications are online; paper applications are not accepted.
Apply at least six weeks before the vehicle is intended for use.
The published application fee is £147, including the taxi vehicle test.
DVA checks the registered keeper, requested licence class, taxi vehicle test and taximeter test where applicable.
Class A and B taxis require an approved, sealed taximeter. The separate taximeter test is published at £42.

Official vehicle service

Official vehicle assessment detail

Taxi operator licence

Applications are online; paper applications are not accepted.
Apply at least eight weeks before you want to operate.
The published application fee is £140.
A small operator may have no more than two taxis available at once; a large operator has no vehicle-number restriction.
Changing between small and large types requires a new application.
Before the grant can be completed, at least one valid taxi driver and one valid PSV must be available.

Official operator service

DVA Passenger Transport Licensing Division

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