Taxi licence in Plymouth: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Plymouth City Council's own published pages on the date above
Plymouth City Council prices hackney carriage and private hire driver licences separately - hackney carriage costs £190 for 1 year or £500 for 3 years, while private hire is cheaper at £134 or £336 - reflecting the extra "Knowledge of Plymouth" test that only hackney carriage applicants need to pass (Plymouth City Council, 23 August 2026).
Once you submit your online "intention to apply" form, a member of the Taxi Licensing Team aims to contact you within 5 working days to book a 30-minute appointment.
This page sets out Plymouth's own published 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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
Plymouth only requires its written "Knowledge of Plymouth" test - covering routes, landmarks, licensing conditions and customer care - for hackney carriage applicants, not for private hire drivers, which is part of why the two licence types are priced differently (Plymouth City Council, 23 August 2026).
The council also runs the whole application on a strict clock: the entire process must be completed within a maximum of 6 months from your first face-to-face appointment, or your application is cancelled.
What does a Plymouth taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Plymouth's taxi licence fees page splits hackney carriage and private hire driver costs by 1-year and 3-year terms (Plymouth City Council, 23 August 2026).
Enhanced DBS certificates must be no more than 3 months old at application, and you must join the DBS Update Service within 30 days of receiving your certificate. Read Plymouth City Council's full taxi licence fees page →
✓ Checked against Plymouth City Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Plymouth?
| Requirement | Plymouth's standard |
|---|---|
| Knowledge of Plymouth test | Hackney carriage applicants only - routes, landmarks, licensing conditions and customer care |
| Safeguarding training | 2-hour awareness session, plus a Plymouth Ambassador Course (two half-day sessions) |
| Medical evaluation | Required before a licence is issued |
| Enhanced DBS check | No more than 3 months old at application; join the Update Service within 30 days |
| Minimum driving experience | Full driving licence held for at least 12 months prior to applying |
How do you apply for a Plymouth taxi licence?
You start with an online "intention to apply" form, and Plymouth's Taxi Licensing Team then books you a 30-minute face-to-face appointment (Plymouth City Council, 23 August 2026).
- Submit your "intention to apply" form online.
- Wait to be contacted - the council aims to be in touch within 5 working days to book your appointment.
- Complete your safeguarding training (2-hour session) and the Plymouth Ambassador Course (two half-day sessions).
- If applying for hackney carriage, sit the Knowledge of Plymouth test.
- Get your medical evaluation and enhanced DBS check (no more than 3 months old), then join the DBS Update Service within 30 days.
- Complete everything within 6 months of your first appointment, or your application is cancelled.
How long does a Plymouth taxi licence take?
A member of the Taxi Licensing Team aims to contact you within 5 working days of your online application to book a 30-minute appointment, and the whole process - tests, training, medical and DBS - must be completed within a maximum of 6 months from that first meeting, or the application is cancelled (Plymouth City Council, 23 August 2026).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Plymouth taxi licence cost?
Hackney carriage is £190 for 1 year or £500 for 3 years. Private hire is cheaper at £134 (1 year) or £336 (3 years), reflecting the extra Knowledge of Plymouth test hackney carriage drivers need to pass.
Do private hire drivers need the Knowledge of Plymouth test?
No - it's only required for hackney carriage applicants, not private hire drivers.
How quickly will Plymouth contact me after I apply?
A member of the Taxi Licensing Team aims to contact you within 5 working days of your online "intention to apply" form to book a 30-minute appointment.
How long do I have to complete my Plymouth taxi application?
A maximum of 6 months from your first face-to-face appointment - if you don't finish everything within that window, your application is cancelled.
What safeguarding training does Plymouth require?
A 2-hour safeguarding awareness session, plus a Plymouth Ambassador Course delivered across two half-day sessions.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Plymouth 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 Plymouth City Council's licensing team directly.