Taxis and private hire vehicles provide a valuable transport service to the residents and communities within Stevenage.

Public safety is the council’s priority when making decisions on taxi and private hire licences. Fees and charges paid to the council for taxi and private hire licensing should cover the costs of this work.

Current licensing fees and policy

The current taxi and private hire licensing fees can be found on our Environmental Health Fees and Charges web page. These were last reviewed over 15 years ago.

A new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy came into effect on 1 April 2024 

Why are we proposing the change?

We committed to doing a full review of the taxi licensing budget and fees in December 2024. This review has been carried out. It showed that we are not fully covering the costs of delivering the Taxi Licensing service.

Government guidance is that taxi and private hire licensing should not operate at a cost to the wider taxpayer. Fees must be set at a level which ensures that we do not make a profit. Any deficit or surplus should be considered when fees are reviewed.

We have reduced service costs and overheads where possible. We are proposing that fees for taxi and private hire licensing should increase. This is to operate without cost to the wider taxpayer.

Proposed fees and charges

We want to hear from the licensed taxi and private hire trade on our proposal. We also want to hear from local businesses, residents, and non-residents of Stevenage.

Please take a look at the proposed fees document below before making any comments. 

How to have your say

You can tell us your views by completing the online survey using the button below.

If you have any questions, please email us at licensing@stevenage.gov.uk.

Please tell us your views by midnight on 4 August 2025.

What happens next

All responses to this consultation will be carefully analysed and the findings will help inform recommendations presented to Cabinet for consideration. Cabinet will then decide on the final fees and charges that will be set. Any changes to fees and charges will come into effect on 1 January 2026.

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