Hackney carriage and private hire fees
Public notice
In accordance with the provisions of section 70(3)(a)(b) of The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 197, we hereby give notice that the fees chargeable under this section for the grant of hackney carriage and private hire vehicle and driver licences and private hire operator licences, together with additional costs appertaining to such licences, shall be varied as from 1 April 2026 to be the below.
Objections
Any objections to the proposal to vary the fees must be made by 10 December 2025 by emailing licensingmbc@maidstone.gov.uk or by post to:
The Licensing PartnershipSevenoaks District Council
Argyle Road, Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1HG
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Fees 2026 to 2027
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test | £40 per test | £42 |
| EQUO test | £74 | £78 |
Hackney carriage driver and dual (hackney and private hire) driver licence
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application |
£389 for three years (this includes £27 towards the demand survey and £9 for maintenance of TV monitor) £160 for one year |
£408 for three years (this includes £28 towards the Demand Survey and£10 for maintenance of the TV monitor) £168 for one year |
| Disclosure Barring Service search fee | £49.50 every one or three years depending on licence (or £16 per year if they sign up to the online service) | £49.50 every one or three years depending on licence (or £13 per year if they sign up to the online service) |
| Total (including DBS fee) |
£438.50 for three years £209.50 for one year |
£457.50 for three years £217.50 for one year |
| On renewal |
£380 for three years (this includes £27 towards the demand survey and £9 for maintenance of TV monitor) £140 for one year (due to age or medical) |
£399 for three years (this includes £29 towards the Demand Survey and £10 for maintenance of TV monitor) £147 for one year (due to age or medical) |
| Disclosure Barring Service search fee | £49.50 every one or three years depending on licence (or £16 per year if they sign up to the online service) | £49.50 every one or three years, depending on licence (or £13 per year if they sign up to the online service) |
| Total (including DBS fee) |
£429.50 for three years £189.50 for one year |
£448.50 for three years £196.50 for one year |
Private hire driver licence
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application |
£298 for three years £180 for one year |
£313 for three years £189 for one year |
| Disclosure Barring Service search fee | £49.50 every one or three years, depending on licence (or £16 per year if they sign up to the online service) | £49.50 every one or three years, depending on licence (or £13 per year if they sign up to the online service) |
| Total (including DBS fee) |
£347.50 for three years £229.50 for one year |
£362.50 for three years £238.50 for one year |
| On renewal |
£293 for three years £158 for one year (due to age or medical) |
£308 for three years £166 for one year (due to age or medical) |
| Disclosure Barring Service search fee | £49.50 every one or three years depending on licence (or £16 per year if they sign up to the online service) | £49.50 every one or three years depending on licence (or £13 per year if they sign up to the online service) |
| Total (including DBS fee) |
£342.50 for three years £207.50 for one year |
£357.50 for three years £215.50 for one year |
Hackney carriage vehicle licence
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| New and renewal | £361 for one year (this includes £25 towards the demand survey and £9 for maintenance of TV monitor) | £379 for one year (this includes £29 towards the Demand Survey and £10 for maintenance of TV monitor) |
Private hire vehicle licence
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| New and renewal | £333 for one year | £350 for one year |
Private hire operator licence
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 year licence - Initial application | £608 or five years | £638 for five years |
| 5 year licence - Renewal | £510 for five years | £536 for five years |
| 3 year licence – Initial application | £425 for three years | £446 for three years |
| 3 year licence – Renewal | £345 for three years | £362 for three years |
| 1 year licence – Initial application | £245 for one year | £257 for one year |
| 1 year licence – Renewal | £162 for one year | £170 for one year |
Other costs
| Current fees | Proposed fees | |
|---|---|---|
| DBS and general administration fee | £31 | £33 |
| Change of ownership of licensed vehicle | £27 | £28 |
| Replace external vehicle plate | £20 | £21 |
| Replace driver badge | £14 | £15 |
| Copy of existing paper licence | £14 | £15 |
| Change of name for a vehicle licence | £27 | £28 |
| Change of name or address for an operator licence | £50 | £53 |
| Change of name and address for a driver badge (not including badge) | £25 | £26 |
| Plate bracket | £48 | £50 |
| Vehicle exemption certificate | £56 | £59 |
| Temporary plate | £120 | £126 |