Taxi licence in Bradford: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Bradford Council's own published pages on the date above
Bradford Council charges £199 for a 3-year hackney carriage or private hire driver licence, or £81 for 1 year, on top of a separate £30 non-refundable application fee that applies to every new driver (Bradford Council, 23 August 2026).
Vehicle and operator licences are priced separately again, and the council itemises DBS-related costs clearly on its own fees page.
This page sets out Bradford's own published fees - 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 Bradford 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 Bradford?
Bradford separates its application fee (£30, non-refundable) from the licence fee itself, and it prices vehicle licences by the vehicle's age band rather than a single flat rate (Bradford Council, 23 August 2026).
The council also runs its own dedicated testing operation - Shearbridge Depot - and warns that withdrawing a vehicle application less than 72 hours before a booked test can mean losing money already spent on plates or a wasted test fee.
What does a Bradford taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Bradford's fees page lists driver, vehicle and operator charges separately, plus DBS-related costs (Bradford Council, 23 August 2026).
Full operator fee tables (multiple vehicles, 5-year terms) and shorter-term vehicle licences are on the council's own page. Read Bradford Council's driver and vehicle fees page →
✓ Checked against Bradford Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Bradford?
| Requirement | Bradford's standard |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £30, non-refundable, paid by every new applicant |
| DBS check | £57.30 if not applied for online; £16/year for the DBS Update Service |
| Testing | Carried out at the council's Shearbridge Depot testing facility |
| Medical | Referenced by the council's application guidance; exact standard not itemised on the fees page - check the application forms and guidance directly |
How do you apply for a Bradford taxi licence?
You apply directly to Bradford Council, using its published application forms and guidance, with testing carried out at Shearbridge Depot (Bradford Council, 23 August 2026).
- Read the council's guidance on becoming a hackney carriage or private hire driver.
- Download and complete the application form from the council's application forms and guidance page.
- Pay the £30 non-refundable application fee alongside your submission.
- Apply for your DBS check and, if you want it to cover the full licence term, sign up to the DBS Online Update Service.
- Attend testing at Shearbridge Depot and pay your driver licence fee - £81 for 1 year or £199 for 3 years - once approved.
How long does a Bradford taxi licence take?
Bradford Council's published fees page doesn't set out a fixed working-day processing timescale (Bradford Council, 23 August 2026) - contact the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Service directly (01274 435435 or taxi.testing@bradford.gov.uk) for a realistic estimate once you've submitted your documents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bradford taxi licence cost?
£199 for a 3-year driver licence, or £81 for 1 year, plus a separate £30 non-refundable application fee for new drivers.
Is the £30 Bradford application fee refundable?
No - Bradford Council states this fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of your application.
Where is testing carried out for a Bradford taxi licence?
At the council's Shearbridge Depot, on Shearbridge Road - contact the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Service to book.
How much does the DBS check cost in Bradford?
£57.30 if you don't apply online, plus £16 a year if you sign up to the DBS Online Update Service to keep a full-term licence.
Where do I actually apply for a Bradford taxi licence?
Directly with Bradford Council, using its published application forms - there's no fee-saving shortcut, and you don't need a paid service to submit it.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Bradford Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your application, contact Bradford Council's licensing team directly.