Taxi licence in Barnsley: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Barnsley Council's own published pages on the date above
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council charges £198 for a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence covering 12 months, and requires a basic DBS certificate dated within the last 12 months as part of its driver checks (Barnsley Council, 23 August 2026).
The council raised its taxi and private hire fees for the first time in more than a decade during a review that took effect from 13 March 2026, following a public consultation.
This page sets out Barnsley's own published fees and requirements - for the wider system, see our taxi and private hire hub, and for the general driver process, see how to become a taxi driver.
This is general information sourced from Barnsley Council's own website, not professional or legal advice - always confirm current fees and requirements with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about taxi licensing in Barnsley?
Barnsley's licensing fees went unchanged for more than a decade before this review - the council says charges are calculated using detailed time monitoring of how long staff spend processing applications, running assessments, and carrying out inspections, and by law can only cover the cost of delivering the licensing service, not enforcement or extra revenue (Barnsley Council, 23 August 2026).
New applicants typically receive their licence and plates within 15 working days once everything is submitted correctly.
What does a Barnsley taxi or private hire licence cost?
Barnsley's licensing pages confirm the vehicle licence fee directly; the driver licence fee should be confirmed with the council (Barnsley Council, 23 August 2026).
Barnsley's general licensing regulatory board oversees fees for hackney carriage and private hire driver, vehicle and operator licences. Read Barnsley Council's hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences page →
✓ Checked against Barnsley Council, 23 August 2026 - driver licence fee needs confirming against the council's own current fee schedule.
What do you need to apply in Barnsley?
| Requirement | Barnsley's standard |
|---|---|
| DBS check | Basic DBS certificate, dated within the last 12 months, unless you're already licensed with the authority |
| Vehicle licence | £198, covers 12 months |
| Renewal timing | Submit at least 21 days before expiry |
How do you apply for a Barnsley taxi licence?
Barnsley Council's licensing pages set out its hackney carriage and private hire vehicle and driver licensing routes together (Barnsley Council, 23 August 2026).
- Get your basic DBS certificate, dated within 12 months (unless you're already a licensed driver with the authority).
- Confirm the current driver licence fee directly with Barnsley's licensing team.
- Apply for your vehicle licence (£198 for 12 months) alongside your driver application.
- Submit renewals at least 21 days before expiry to avoid a gap in your licence.
How long does a Barnsley taxi licence take?
New applicants typically receive their licence and plates within 15 working days once everything is submitted correctly (Barnsley Council, 23 August 2026) - allow extra time if your DBS certificate or documentation needs following up.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Barnsley taxi licence cost?
The vehicle licence is £198 for 12 months. The driver licence fee wasn't independently confirmed against the council's own fee schedule during this research pass - local press reported £165 (1 year) and £264 (3 years) following the March 2026 fee review, but check the current figure directly with the council.
Why did Barnsley's taxi fees increase in 2026?
The council reviewed its fees for the first time in more than a decade, calculating new charges based on detailed time monitoring of how long staff spend on applications, assessments and inspections - the changes took effect from 13 March 2026.
What DBS check does Barnsley require?
A basic DBS certificate, dated within the last 12 months, unless you're already a licensed driver with the authority.
How long does a Barnsley taxi licence take to process?
New applicants typically receive their licence and plates within 15 working days once everything is submitted correctly.
When should I renew my Barnsley taxi licence?
At least 21 days before your current licence expires.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Barnsley Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your application, contact Barnsley Council's licensing team directly.