Higher renewal charges and a new inspection fee
Under the proposals, renewing a vehicle license would cost £160, up from £145, while a driver license renewal would rise from £162 to £190. The council also wants to introduce a £40 vehicle compliance inspection fee.
The report prepared for the committee says the inspection charge would support vehicle owners and recover the administrative and delivery costs of the checks. It would pay for officers to arrange inspections, carry them out and record the results against the council's safety and compliance standards.
Vehicles must undergo these inspections before a license is issued or renewed. Depending on the vehicle's age, checks are required once a year or every six months.
The council last reviewed Hackney carriage, private hire and gambling licensing charges in 2024. The current review also covers zoos, mobile home parks and street trading. No responses were submitted about the proposed street trading or Gambling Act fees, according to the report.
Consultation and the limits on fee income
The proposals follow a March 26, 2026, meeting at which the Regulatory Committee unanimously authorized a 28-day public consultation on regulatory licensing charges and amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy. The committee was to consider the responses before proceeding.
Officers told that March meeting that licensing fees cannot legally generate a profit for the council and that fees overall had generally fallen.
The report for November's meeting sets out the council's power to recover licensing administration costs across Hackney carriage and private hire taxis, gambling, street trading, scrap metal, animal establishments and mobile home sites. Some other permit, registration and license fees are fixed by legislation.
Officers say fee-setting must take account of license holders' livelihoods. The council uses Local Government Association guidance for locally determined charges to keep the process fair and transparent for businesses and communities. Its licensing team also works to simplify procedures and improve efficiency to limit the burden on businesses.
Other changes considered in March
The taxi policy revisions presented in March aimed to align the council's rules with the latest Department for Transport guidance and continue regional efforts to harmonize standards.
One proposal would remove the requirement for licensed vehicles to carry a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. Officers linked that change to the growing use of electric cars.
The revised policy also lengthened some of the periods applicants must remain free of offenses. It gave licensing officers greater scope to act quickly when personal safety was at risk, without first taking the matter to the committee.
The March minutes also recorded a new license fee for keeping primates as pets. Establishments would face compliance checks, with possible penalties including a fine, removal of the animal or imprisonment for up to nine months.
Approval and start dates
The committee is being asked to review and approve the new charges, but it can reject the increases. The report says doing so would leave the council unable to recover its licensing administration and compliance-monitoring costs.
If approved, the £40 vehicle inspection fee would take effect immediately. The remaining fees and charges would take effect on April 1, 2027.
