Taxi licence in Nottingham: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Nottingham City Council's own published pages on the date above
Nottingham City Council issues a single combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence, valid for either 1 or 3 years, rather than two separately priced licence types (Nottingham City Council, 23 August 2026).
We could confirm the £75 medical fee (via AC Medical Services) and the £50 charge for a failed topography retest, but not a clean, current published figure for the driver licence itself - so for the exact licence fee, check the council's dedicated fees page.
This page sets out what Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham?
Nottingham runs a 5-section electronic topography test - covering licence conditions, premises and locations, numeracy, road signs and shortest routes - lasting 45 minutes, rather than a simpler local knowledge test (Nottingham City Council, 23 August 2026).
From 1 April 2026, drivers who hold a 1-year badge must complete the Blue Lamp Trust safeguarding e-learning course every third year, on top of the version required at initial application and renewal.
What does a Nottingham taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Read Nottingham City Council's dedicated taxi licensing fees page →
✓ Checked against Nottingham City Council, 23 August 2026 - driver licence fee not confirmed on the applying page we accessed.
What do you need to apply in Nottingham?
| Requirement | Nottingham's standard |
|---|---|
| Electronic topography test | 5 sections (licence conditions, premises/locations, numeracy, road signs, shortest routes), 45 minutes; £50 to retake if you fail |
| Enhanced DBS | Applied for via the TaxiPlus portal; a 6-monthly DBS check is required alongside an annual DVLA check |
| Medical | £75 medical certificate via AC Medical Services, required at initial application and potentially at renewal |
| Safeguarding training | Blue Lamp Trust e-learning course, mandatory at initial application and renewal; from 1 April 2026, 1-year badge holders must repeat it every third year |
How do you apply for a Nottingham taxi licence?
Nottingham doesn't run a fully self-service online portal for driver applications - you apply by email to the council's taxi licensing team (Nottingham City Council, 23 August 2026).
- Review the combined driver licence page and the council's dedicated fees page for the current cost.
- Book your electronic topography test (5 sections, 45 minutes).
- Apply for your enhanced DBS check via TaxiPlus and arrange your £75 medical with AC Medical Services.
- Complete the Blue Lamp Trust safeguarding e-learning course.
- Email your completed application to taxi.licensing@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.
How long does a Nottingham taxi licence take?
We couldn't confirm a published working-day processing timescale on Nottingham City Council's main taxi licensing pages during our research (Nottingham City Council, 23 August 2026) - email taxi.licensing@nottinghamcity.gov.uk for a realistic estimate once you've gathered your documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nottingham have separate hackney carriage and private hire driver licences?
No - Nottingham City Council issues a single combined licence, valid for either 1 or 3 years.
How much does a Nottingham taxi licence cost?
We couldn't confirm a clean current figure for the driver licence itself - check Nottingham City Council's dedicated taxi licensing fees page. We can confirm the medical certificate costs £75 and a failed topography retest costs £50.
What does Nottingham's topography test involve?
A 45-minute electronic test with 5 sections: licence conditions, premises and locations, numeracy, road signs and shortest routes. A failed retest costs £50.
What is the Blue Lamp Trust course requirement in Nottingham?
A mandatory safeguarding e-learning course completed at initial application and renewal; from 1 April 2026, 1-year badge holders must also complete it every third year.
Where do I actually apply for a Nottingham taxi licence?
Directly with Nottingham City Council, by email to its taxi licensing team - 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham City Council's licensing team directly.