Vehicle licences for London taxis

Your taxi must be inspected by TfL to get your vehicle licence. It will need to meet the design and roadworthiness standards in the TfL’s ‘Conditions of fitness’.

Your vehicle will need to be inspected before you renew your licence every 12 months.

Taxi vehicle licences are issued to the person applying for the licence. This must be a named individual (ie not a business or organisation) and the person shown as the registered keeper of the vehicle.

If you are the registered keeper of the taxi – but are not a licensed taxi driver or an approved taxi owner – you’ll need a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before you can licence your vehicle.

Taxi vehicle licence fee

Licensing your taxi will cost £154. You will have to pay this when you book your appointment.

Vehicle licences for private hire owners

If you want to use a vehicle for private hire work, you’ll need to have it licensed as a PHV by TfL. The only exemptions to this are vehicles used for weddings or funerals only.

Your PHV vehicle must:

• have no more than 8 passenger seats
• not look like a licensed taxis, eg London-style ‘black cab’
• only display advertising that complies with TfL guidelines
• display licence discs – although exemptions are sometimes granted

Your vehicle will need to be inspected by TfL.

PHV vehicle licence fee

The current fee for a PHV vehicle licence in London is £114, including the application fee and the grant of the licence.

Booking an inspection appointment

To book an inspection appointment for your taxi or private hire vehicle call NSL.