Taxi licence in Leeds: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Leeds City Council's own published pages on the date above
Leeds City Council publishes one of the most detailed fee breakdowns of any UK licensing authority: a new hackney carriage driver licence costs £325 and a new private hire driver licence costs £355, each built up from named individual charges rather than one lump fee (Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026).
Renewals are simpler - £150 for 1 year or £390 for 3 years, whichever licence type you hold.
This page sets out Leeds's own itemised 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 Leeds 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 Leeds?
Leeds breaks its driver licence fee down into named individual charges - admin fee, application, DBS check, customer care course, English test, safeguarding training and a local knowledge test - rather than quoting a single combined figure (Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026).
Leeds also stands out for requiring a formal advanced driving assessment from an approved provider, rather than simply asking how long you've held a licence, and for running its safeguarding, regulatory and professional-standards training as separate modules that each need an 80% pass mark.
What does a Leeds taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Leeds City Council's own costs page lists each charge separately, so you can see exactly what you're paying for (Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026).
Renewals are simpler: £150 for 1 year, or £390 for 3 years, for either licence type. Read Leeds City Council's full costs page →
✓ Checked against Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Leeds?
Leeds sets out its requirements in more detail than most councils, including a formal advanced driving assessment rather than just a minimum years-held rule (Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026).
| Requirement | Leeds's standard |
|---|---|
| Driving standard | Advanced driving test from Diamond Advanced Motorists, AA DriveTech or IAM RoadSmart, dated within the last 3 years |
| Medical | DVLA Group II medical report, completed and signed by a GP, dated within the last 4 months |
| DBS | Criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service - required for every applicant |
| Knowledge and training | Local knowledge test, plus safeguarding, regulatory framework, professional standards and equalities/disability training modules, each needing an 80% pass mark, all within 12 months |
| English language | English comprehension test required |
| Documentation | DVLA driving licence, valid passport, two recent utility bills, National Insurance evidence, passport photograph |
How do you apply for a Leeds taxi licence?
You apply online directly through Leeds City Council, and your application stays valid for 12 months while you complete the required tests and training (Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026).
- Apply online for a hackney carriage or private hire driver licence via the Leeds City Council portal.
- Gather your documents - DVLA driving licence, passport, two utility bills, National Insurance evidence and a passport photo.
- Pass your DBS check and your advanced driving assessment.
- Complete the training modules - safeguarding, regulatory framework, professional standards, equalities/disability and the English comprehension test - each within 12 months of applying, with up to 3 attempts per test.
- Pay the relevant fee and receive your licence once everything is confirmed.
How long does a Leeds taxi licence take?
Leeds doesn't publish a fixed decision timescale in working days - instead, your application remains valid for 12 months, and you have up to 3 attempts to pass each required test within that window (Leeds City Council, 23 August 2026).
If you fail all 3 attempts at any test, you'll face a 12-month ban before you can reapply - so it's worth preparing properly for the advanced driving assessment and knowledge modules rather than treating them as a formality.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a Leeds private hire licence cost more than a hackney carriage licence?
Because the private hire fee build-up includes an extra knowledge training pack (£15) and a higher-cost A-Z conditions test (£30) compared with the hackney carriage A-Z and maps test (£15), taking the private hire total to £355 versus £325.
Do I need an advanced driving qualification to drive a taxi in Leeds?
Yes - Leeds requires a pass from an approved advanced driving provider (Diamond Advanced Motorists, AA DriveTech or IAM RoadSmart) dated within the last 3 years, rather than simply asking how long you've held a licence.
How long is my Leeds taxi application valid for?
12 months - you need to complete your DBS check, driving assessment and all training modules within that period, with up to 3 attempts allowed per test.
How much does it cost to renew a Leeds taxi licence?
£150 for a 1-year renewal or £390 for a 3-year renewal, for either a hackney carriage or private hire driver licence.
Where do I actually apply for a Leeds taxi licence?
Directly with Leeds City Council through its online application service - 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 Leeds 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 Leeds City Council's licensing team directly.