Taxi licence in Bristol: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Bristol City Council's own published pages on the date above
Bristol City Council's driver licence fee is £140 for a 1-year term, effective from 1 April 2026, under fees that the council reviews and changes every April (Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026).
Bristol also caps the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences it will issue at 795, which shapes how easy it is to get a hackney carriage (rather than private hire) vehicle licensed in the city.
This page sets out what Bristol publishes clearly - 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 Bristol City 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 Bristol?
Bristol operates under its Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026, which came into force on 27 July 2021, and it's one of the relatively small number of English authorities that still caps the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences it issues - currently at 795 (Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026).
That cap doesn't apply to private hire vehicles, so the practical route into driving in Bristol looks different depending on whether you want a hackney carriage or a private hire licence.
What does a Bristol taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Bristol reviews and republishes its fees every April. The figure we could confirm from the council's own published fees document is the driver licence fee (Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026).
We could confirm the driver licence figure but not a full breakdown of every other fee from the council's downloadable PDF - use the council's own fees document for the complete current schedule. Read Bristol City Council's licence and policy information page →
✓ Checked against Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Bristol?
Bristol's licence and policy information page confirms DBS checks, medical examinations, knowledge tests and vehicle inspections are all part of the system, with detail set out on their own dedicated pages (Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026).
| Requirement | Bristol's standard |
|---|---|
| DBS check | Required; see the council's taxi driver tests and certificates page for current detail |
| Medical examination | Required; standard not itemised on the fees summary page we could access |
| Knowledge test | Required; covered on the council's dedicated tests and certificates page |
| Vehicle inspection | Required for vehicle licensing; hackney carriage vehicle numbers are capped at 795 |
How do you apply for a Bristol taxi licence?
You apply directly to Bristol City Council under its current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026 (Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026).
- Read the council's licence and policy information page to understand which licence type you need.
- Check the driver tests and certificates page for the knowledge test and DBS process.
- Arrange your medical certificate and gather your supporting documents.
- Submit your application and pay the current driver licence fee (£140 for 1 year, from 1 April 2026).
How long does a Bristol taxi licence take?
We couldn't confirm a published working-day processing timescale on Bristol City Council's main licensing pages during our research (Bristol City Council, 23 August 2026) - contact the council's licensing team directly for a realistic estimate once you've gathered your documents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bristol taxi licence cost?
The driver licence fee is £140 for a 1-year term, effective from 1 April 2026 - Bristol reviews its full fee schedule every April, so check the council's current PDF for vehicle and operator fees.
Is there a limit on hackney carriage licences in Bristol?
Yes - Bristol currently caps the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences it issues at 795. This cap doesn't apply to private hire vehicles.
What licensing policy does Bristol currently operate under?
The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026, which came into force on 27 July 2021.
Where can I find Bristol's knowledge test and medical requirements?
On the council's separate "Taxi and private hire driver tests and certificates" page, rather than the main fees page.
Where do I actually apply for a Bristol taxi licence?
Directly with Bristol City Council - 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 Bristol City Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your application, contact Bristol City Council's licensing team directly.