Taxi licence in Dudley: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Dudley Council's own published pages on the date above
Dudley Council requires every taxi and private hire driver applicant to pass a driving examination set by one of its own approved suppliers - at the applicant's own cost - and to prove medical fitness through a GP examination to the DVSA Group 2 standard, the national benchmark also used for HGV and PSV drivers (Dudley Council, 23 August 2026).
Non-UK citizens face an extra step: a certificate of good conduct (the DBS equivalent) from an agency in their country of citizenship.
This page sets out Dudley's own published 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 Dudley 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 Dudley?
Dudley doesn't run its own in-house driving test - instead you book and pay for a driving examination with one of the council's approved suppliers, with the cost borne by you rather than fixed by the council (Dudley Council, 23 August 2026).
Non-UK citizens applying in Dudley need to provide a certificate of good conduct - the equivalent of a DBS check - issued by an agency in their own country of citizenship, on top of the UK checks every applicant needs.
What does a Dudley taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Dudley's fees list is published as a downloadable PDF via its Directory of Fees and Charges rather than shown on the licensing pages themselves (Dudley Council, 23 August 2026).
Call Dudley's licensing team on 01384 815050 or email licensing.LDS@dudley.gov.uk for the exact current fee, or download the council's Current Fees List. Read Dudley Council's taxi and private hire licences page →
✓ Checked against Dudley Council, 23 August 2026 - fee figure needs confirming against the council's own current fee schedule.
What do you need to apply in Dudley?
| Requirement | Dudley's standard |
|---|---|
| Driving examination | Mandatory, with a council-approved supplier, cost borne by the applicant |
| Medical standard | DVSA Group 2, confirmed by GP examination - the national HGV/PSV standard |
| DBS check | Required for all applicants |
| Certificate of good conduct | Required for non-UK citizens, issued by an agency in their country of citizenship |
| Renewal window | Applications can be submitted up to 8 weeks before your current licence expires |
How do you apply for a Dudley taxi licence?
Renewal applicants attend an appointment with their completed form, fee, UK driving licence and passport photographs (Dudley Council, 23 August 2026).
- Get your GP medical examination confirming the DVSA Group 2 standard.
- Book and pass your driving examination with a Dudley-approved supplier.
- Apply for your DBS check (and, if you're a non-UK citizen, your certificate of good conduct).
- Submit your renewal application up to 8 weeks before expiry, or contact the licensing office for a new application appointment.
- Confirm the exact current fee with Dudley's licensing team before you pay.
How long does a Dudley taxi licence take?
Dudley Council's published pages don't set out a fixed working-day processing timescale (Dudley Council, 23 August 2026) - factor in time to book your driving examination and get your DBS certificate back before you expect a decision.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dudley taxi licence cost?
Dudley's exact current fee wasn't independently confirmed against the council's own fee schedule during this research pass - local press has reported around £475 for a 3-year licence. Contact Dudley's licensing team for the confirmed current figure.
What medical standard does Dudley require?
The DVSA Group 2 vocational-driver standard - the national benchmark also used for HGV and PSV drivers - confirmed by your own GP.
Do I need a special check if I'm not a UK citizen applying in Dudley?
Yes - non-UK citizens must provide a certificate of good conduct (the DBS equivalent) issued by an agency in their country of citizenship, on top of the UK DBS check.
Who sets my driving test in Dudley?
You book and pay for a driving examination with one of Dudley Council's approved suppliers - the council doesn't run an in-house test.
When should I renew my Dudley taxi licence?
You can submit your renewal application up to 8 weeks before your current licence expires.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Dudley Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your application, contact Dudley Council's licensing team directly.