Taxi licence in Sandwell: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Sandwell Council's own published pages on the date above
Sandwell Council charges £104 for a 1-year private hire or hackney carriage driver licence, or £303 for 3 years - with a dual badge covering both types costing £155 (1 year) or £454 (3 years) - on top of a £30 knowledge test and a £56 DBS check (Sandwell Council, 23 August 2026).
Every application also carries a £30 non-refundable admin fee, and drivers with a relevant BTEC or NVQ qualification get a £10 reduction.
This page sets out Sandwell'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 Sandwell 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 Sandwell?
Sandwell prices its private hire and hackney carriage driver licences identically, but offers a separately priced "dual" badge for drivers who want to hold both at once, and gives a £10 discount to drivers holding a relevant BTEC or NVQ qualification (Sandwell Council, 23 August 2026).
Appointments for the licensing process moved to Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DB - check this is still current before you book.
What does a Sandwell taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Sandwell's published fees and charges page breaks costs down by licence type, term and whether it's a new application or renewal (Sandwell Council, 23 August 2026).
A £10 reduction applies if you hold a relevant BTEC/NVQ qualification, and the DBS Update Service costs £16/year on top. Read Sandwell Council's full fees and charges page →
✓ Checked against Sandwell Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Sandwell?
| Requirement | Sandwell's standard |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test | Mandatory, £30 |
| DBS check | Mandatory, £56, plus £16/year Update Service |
| Medical | Required as part of the fit and proper person assessment; fee paid direct to your GP, not fixed by the council |
| Badge deposit | £30, refundable |
| BTEC/NVQ discount | £10 reduction if you hold a relevant qualification |
How do you apply for a Sandwell taxi licence?
Sandwell's licensing pages set out separate application routes for driver, vehicle and operator licences, with in-person appointments at Sandwell Council House (Sandwell Council, 23 August 2026).
- Book your knowledge test (£30).
- Arrange your medical with your own GP as part of the fit and proper person check.
- Apply for your DBS check (£56) and sign up to the Update Service (£16/year).
- Pay the £30 non-refundable admin fee and submit your application.
- Pay your driver licence fee - £104 or £303 for a single badge, £155 or £454 for dual - once your application is approved.
How long does a Sandwell taxi licence take?
Sandwell Council's published fees page doesn't set out a fixed working-day processing timescale (Sandwell Council, 23 August 2026) - so confirm current turnaround with the council's taxi and private hire licensing team once you've booked your knowledge test and DBS check.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sandwell taxi licence cost?
A single (private hire or hackney carriage) driver licence is £104 for 1 year or £303 for 3 years. A dual badge covering both is £155 (1 year) or £454 (3 years), plus a £30 knowledge test and £56 DBS check.
What's a dual badge in Sandwell?
A single licence that covers both hackney carriage and private hire driving, priced separately from the standard single-type driver licence.
Is there a discount on Sandwell taxi licence fees?
Yes - a £10 reduction applies if you hold a relevant BTEC or NVQ qualification.
What DBS check does Sandwell require?
A standard DBS check costing £56 (subject to any DBS fee increase), plus a £16-a-year Update Service subscription to keep it current.
Is there an admin fee for a Sandwell taxi application?
Yes - a £30 non-refundable administration fee applies to all applications, on top of the driver licence fee itself.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Sandwell Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your application, contact Sandwell Council's licensing team directly.