Taxi licence in Coventry: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Coventry City Council's own published pages on the date above
Coventry City Council licenses hackney carriage and private hire drivers under a Statement of Licensing Policy for Taxis and Private Hire that runs from 2026 to 2031, and it doesn't offer a full self-service online application - instead you contact the Taxi Licensing Office to be sent an application form and book an appointment (Coventry City Council, 23 August 2026).
We could not confirm a single current, published driver licence fee figure on the council's main public pages during our research, so we're routing you straight to the council for the exact amount rather than guessing.
This page sets out what Coventry does publish 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 Coventry 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 Coventry?
Coventry's application process is more manual than many councils': rather than a self-service online portal, you contact the Taxi Licensing Office directly, who send you an application form and book you an appointment (Coventry City Council, 23 August 2026).
The council also publishes a Road Knowledge Information Document specifically for hackney carriage applicants, alongside separate Driver Training Course Notes, rather than folding everything into one general guidance page.
What does a Coventry taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Read Coventry City Council's fee review page → or email taxi.licensing@coventry.gov.uk / call 024 7683 2183.
✓ Checked against Coventry City Council, 23 August 2026 - fee figures not published clearly enough to reproduce here.
What do you need to apply in Coventry?
| Requirement | Coventry's standard |
|---|---|
| Road knowledge (hackney carriage) | Covered by the council's Road Knowledge Information Document, specific to hackney carriage applicants |
| Driver training | Covered separately in the council's Driver Training Course Notes |
| DBS check | Required; the council links to the DBS Update Service Applicant Guide and DBS Online Disclosure Guide for applicants |
| Application route | By appointment only - contact the Taxi Licensing Office to be sent a form |
How do you apply for a Coventry taxi licence?
Applications aren't fully self-service online in Coventry - you request a form and book an appointment directly with the Taxi Licensing Office (Coventry City Council, 23 August 2026).
- Contact the Taxi Licensing Office by phone (024 7683 2183) or email (taxi.licensing@coventry.gov.uk) to request an application form.
- Read the Road Knowledge Information Document (hackney carriage) or relevant Driver Training Course Notes.
- Apply for your DBS check, using the council's DBS Update Service and Online Disclosure guides.
- Book and attend your appointment at the Taxi Licensing Office with your completed form and documents.
How long does a Coventry taxi licence take?
We couldn't find a published working-day processing timescale on Coventry City Council's main taxi licensing pages during our research (Coventry City Council, 23 August 2026) - given the appointment-based process, contact the Taxi Licensing Office directly for a realistic estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Coventry taxi licence cost?
We couldn't confirm a current published fee figure - contact Coventry City Council's Taxi Licensing Office directly or check its fee review page before budgeting.
Can I apply for a Coventry taxi licence online?
Not as a full self-service process - you contact the Taxi Licensing Office to request an application form and book an appointment.
What licensing policy period does Coventry currently operate under?
A Statement of Licensing Policy for Taxis and Private Hire running from 2026 to 2031.
Does Coventry have a specific knowledge test document?
Yes - a Road Knowledge Information Document for hackney carriage applicants, alongside separate Driver Training Course Notes.
Where do I actually apply for a Coventry taxi licence?
Directly with Coventry City Council's Taxi Licensing Office - 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 Coventry 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 Coventry City Council's licensing team directly.