Taxi licence in Sheffield: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Sheffield City Council's own published pages on the date above
Sheffield City Council prices its taxi and private hire driver licence by how many years you take it for - £223 for 1 year, £245 for 2 years, or £268 for 3 years - on top of a £87 knowledge test, a £75 driving test and a £49.50 DBS check (Sheffield City Council, 23 August 2026).
Applications are made through the council's online taxi licensing portal, BigChange.
This page sets out Sheffield'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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield?
Sheffield lets you choose your licence term - 1, 2 or 3 years - with the per-year cost falling the longer you commit, and it requires a specific professional qualification (the Certificate in the Introduction to the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver) as part of its fit and proper person test (Sheffield City Council, 23 August 2026).
Applications and account management run through BigChange, a dedicated taxi licensing portal, rather than the council's general online forms system.
What does a Sheffield taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Sheffield's fees page breaks the cost down by licence term, plus separate charges for the vehicle, tests and DBS check (Sheffield City Council, 23 August 2026).
Operator licence fees vary by fleet size and term - from £531 for 1-10 vehicles over 1 year up to £12,548 for 250+ vehicles over 5 years. Read Sheffield City Council's full fees and charges page →
✓ Checked against Sheffield City Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Sheffield?
| Requirement | Sheffield's standard |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test | Mandatory, £87 |
| Driving test | Mandatory, £75 |
| DBS check | Mandatory, £49.50 |
| Professional qualification | Certificate in the Introduction to the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver, required as part of the fit and proper test |
| Application system | BigChange online taxi licensing portal - you need an account before applying |
How do you apply for a Sheffield taxi licence?
You apply online through Sheffield City Council's BigChange portal, rather than a general council forms system (Sheffield City Council, 23 August 2026).
- Set up an account on the BigChange taxi licensing portal.
- Complete the Certificate in the Introduction to the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver as part of the fit and proper test.
- Pass the knowledge test (£87) and the driving test (£75).
- Apply for your DBS check (£49.50) alongside your application.
- Pay your chosen term's driver licence fee - £223, £245 or £268 depending on whether you pick 1, 2 or 3 years.
How long does a Sheffield taxi licence take?
Sheffield City Council's published fees page doesn't set out a fixed working-day processing timescale (Sheffield City Council, 23 August 2026) - so confirm current turnaround with the council's taxi licensing team once you've submitted your BigChange application, particularly around your test bookings and DBS return time.
If you decide to withdraw your application at any stage, or it's refused, Sheffield says a partial refund may be considered - worth knowing before you commit to a longer, and more expensive, licence term.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sheffield taxi licence cost?
The driver licence itself is £223 (1 year), £245 (2 years) or £268 (3 years), plus a £87 knowledge test, £75 driving test and £49.50 DBS check.
Do I need a special qualification to drive a taxi in Sheffield?
Yes - the Certificate in the Introduction to the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver is required as part of the council's fit and proper person test.
Where do I apply for a Sheffield taxi licence?
Through BigChange, Sheffield City Council's dedicated online taxi licensing portal - you'll need to set up an account before you can apply.
Can I get a refund if my Sheffield application is refused?
A partial refund may be considered if you withdraw at any stage or your application is refused, according to the council's fees page - contact Sheffield's taxi licensing team for specifics.
Is the driver licence fee the same for hackney carriage and private hire in Sheffield?
The council's published fees page lists a single set of driver licence fees by term length rather than pricing the two licence types separately - confirm with the council if your situation is unusual.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Sheffield 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 Sheffield City Council's licensing team directly.