Proposed Changes to Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees
Have your say on proposed taxi and private hire licence fees
Rother District Council and Wealden District Council are reviewing the fees charged for taxi and private hire licences. We are proposing new fees from 1 April 2026 to make sure the service covers its costs.
We are legally required to consult with you on these proposed changes, whether you are a driver, vehicle owner, operator, or member of the public. Your feedback will help us understand the impact of the proposed increases.
Why are we increasing the cost?
The proposed increases reflect the actual cost to the Councils of running the taxi and private hire licensing service. By law, licence fees must be set so that they cover the cost of processing applications, issuing licences, and checking compliance with licence conditions. They cannot be used to generate profit or to fund enforcement against unlicensed drivers or vehicles.
The last review of fees was in 2023. Since then, administrative and compliance costs have risen, meaning that the current fees no longer cover the full cost of providing the service. These new fees are designed to bring income back in line with the costs incurred.
Summary of Proposed Fee Changes (from 1 April 2026)
Licence Type | Current Fee (£) | Proposed Fee (from 1st April 2026) (£) |
|---|---|---|
Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle (renewal) | 280 | 309 |
Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle (new) | 320 | 353 |
Operator – <20 vehicles – 3 years | 320 | 353 |
Operator – <20 vehicles – 5 years | 520 | 574 |
Operator – >20 vehicles – 3 years | 640 | 706 |
Operator – >20 vehicles – 5 years | 1000 | 1148 |
You can view the full notice and detailed fee structure on our website or at council offices during opening hours.
How to respond
Please complete our short survey, link below, by 31st October 2025 .
If you prefer to give your views in writing, you can do so by email or post. Please include:
- Your name and contact details
- Your connection to the taxi and private hire trade (if applicable)
- Your comments on the proposed fees, including any alternative suggestions or reasons for your views
Email: Licensing@rother.gov.uk
Post: Licensing Team, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN39 3JX
All responses will be reviewed and reported to the General Purpose and Licensing Committee before a final decision on the proposed fees is made.
If you would like to follow the progress of this consultation, you can view committee papers and meeting dates on this page or the Council’s website, or request a copy by contacting the Licensing Team at Licensing@rother.gov.uk.