Taxi Driver Online

Don't know why I even bothered looking at this - seen one or two pieces on the topic, and just couldn't be bothered.

But just wondered what an article like this is doing on the Birmingham Mail/Birmingham Live website

And the 'huge price hikes' turn out to be fairly modest increases, particularly when the last rise in fees was almost a decade ago.

There's also the out-of-context quote (as highlighted) about the licensing delays. Which suggests a classic copy and paste job. But at least it doesn't read like AI



Thousands of drivers face new costs for licences and tests from March

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/motori ... s-33604659

Transport for London has confirmed that taxi and private hire drivers, as well as customers, will face huge price hikes in the coming months.

Thousands of drivers face huge new costs for licences and tests with a fresh price hike. Transport for London has confirmed that taxi and private hire drivers, as well as customers, will face huge price hikes in the coming months.

As of March 9, 2026, drivers will have to pay £225 for the Knowledge of London assessment fee and £425 for the appearance fee, up from £200 and £400 respectively.

Taxi drivers will also see costs rise from £36 to £40 for the safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) test, while a resit will jump from £16 to £30.

There will also be a £40 fee for the topographical skills test, English language speaking and listening test and SERU assessment.

From June 1, 2026, taxi driver licence prices will rise from £120 to £138, while vehicle licence applications will soar to £205.

The same prices will apply to private hire vehicle drivers and vehicles, according to new documents released by Transport for London.

Elly Baker AM, chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, warned: "Delays to issuing private hire licences have caused a breakdown of trust in TfL, and efforts need to be made to rebuild that trust - particularly with private hire drivers and their Trade Unions.

"These delays are having a serious impact on driver wellbeing - preventing them from being able to work, earn money, and support their loved ones."

TfL said: "Following a review of taxi and private hire driver and vehicle licence fees, some fees are being changed. This is the first change to licence fees since 2017.

"Further information about the changes to the taxi and private hire licence fees is available in the Finance Committee Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees Review paper.

"The Finance Committee approved these changes on 25 February 2026. In addition, some changes have also been made to taxi driver and private hire driver assessment fees. These took effect on 9 March 2026."

I mean, that's 12% and 6% respectively. Over nine years? Sounds like a bargain


Might be useful to state what the £205 fee has 'soared' from

But if it's similar to the first rise quoted in that paragraph, and it's the first since 2017, then maybe the word 'soar' exaggerates it all a bit...


And does that mean a lot of the fees are still frozen?

I think those fees are incredibly reasonable, and the increases are peanuts compared to the income the taxi/PH trade takes in London.

It's also worth mentioning that operator fees are massive, with the likes of Uber paying hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

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