Important taxi and private hire updates and news

Following a review of our current arrangements, we will be recommending the company Complete Background Screening (CBS) as our preferred provider for Enhanced DBS checks from 1 August onwards.

The DBS link on our website will be updated on the 1st August 2026. Prices for an Enhanced DBS will change to £64.83 per check (including VAT) saving around £10 per check.

Please note that any DBS applications already in progress with the existing approved provider can continue through to completion and will be accepted by the Taxi Licensing Team.

The Home Office have launched new guidance and a streamlined application to help people with settlement (also called Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) who still use legacy immigration documents to get an eVisa.

Legacy documents include expired passports with ILR stamps or vignettes, old Home Office letters or status documents issued before Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).

The improved guidance and simplified, free "no time limit" (NTL) application makes switching easy. View the guidance and apply for an eVisa.

From Monday 24 November 2025, all new Buckinghamshire Council Taxi or Private hire drivers must pass a Council approved English language test.

For new drivers we will only accept the Buckinghamshire Council approved English language test.

Book an English language test.

From 1 October 2025, door stickers will only be included with new (Private Hire) vehicle licence applications . Renewal application fees do not include door stickers, therefore, they will no longer be provided with renewal applications.

If you require door stickers when renewing a vehicle licence after 1 October 2025, these can be purchased separately using the order form available on our website.

Order taxi items or vary licence information.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) fees are changing on 2 December 2024 (if approved by the government).

This will affect licence holders.

The DBS explained the increases are to:

• keep up with growing demand
• ensure their services are high quality
• cover the cost of modernising their systems.

From 2 December our approved providers (Taxi Plus) fees will change to:

• Enhanced DBS Check: total of £70.50 - includes £49.50 government fee (increase of £11.50) and a £21 Taxi Plus administration fee
• DBS Update Service: £16 (increase of £3)

You can save £14.50 if you register for the Update Service and apply for your DBS check before 2 December 2024.

Hackney Carriage Fares changed on Monday 5 August.

View the fare changes.

Meet our new workplace Heart Health Champions, Ayesha and Hassan from Express Travel, and Qadeer from Berryfields Executive Cars!

They have just completed training with Buckinghamshire Council’s Public Health Team. Come and speak to them about your heart and general health, and they will try and help you.

Did you know that 20% of all deaths in Buckinghamshire are heart disease-related? And that people in the taxi profession are more vulnerable?

To help you to check your blood pressure more, there is a new free blood pressure checking station at the Buckinghamshire Council offices in The Gateway; come and use it when you are around. Check your blood pressure, record the reading, and remember to follow the next steps advice.

If you are not sure how to take blood pressure readings don’t worry, there are simple step-by-step instruction leaflets with pictures at each of the stations.

After taking your blood pressure reading, don’t forget to:

1. record your blood pressure on the z-card (there is a section to do this) and keep the card with you for reference
2. complete a row on the a4 Blood Pressure Readings record sheet. The record sheet is totally anonymous

Let’s work together to improve our hearts for a brighter, healthier future.

From Monday 3 June you will be able to book an MOT and Compliance test for your hackney carriage or private hire vehicle at the following council approved testing centres:

Ed’s Treads
Unit 2a Broadfields Retail Park,
Bicester Road,
Aylesbury,
HP19 8BU

Tel: 01296 424 541

View the Ed's Treads website.

Autotech
42 Townsend Road,
Chesham,
HP5 2AA

Tel: 01494 793 333

MOT 123
6-7 Chepping Park,
High Wycombe,
HP12 3RB

Tel: 01494 536 561

Manleys Garage
2 East Richardson street,
High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire,
HP11 2NP

Tel : 01494 523 062

Buckinghamshire Council testing centre will no longer be taking bookings for MOT or Compliance testing from Monday 3 June 2024. Any tests booked before this time and completed after the 3 June will still be accepted as part of an application.

For further advice on making a vehicle application refer to our vehicle application pages.

From 30 May 2024 the content of the Safeguarding and Disability Training for licence holders and company directors will be changing.

Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training provided by CYP First will now include more information on:

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• reporting concerns
• handling emergency situations
• recognising difficult situations

The fee for the training will be £11 per person.

CYP First certificates will also now be accepted by Client Transport for drivers working on contracts for the Council.

Current CYP First certificates will continue to be valid, and you are not required to attend a new training course until your current certificate is due to expire.

Find further information and training dates for the Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training course.

We are implementing new signs (livery) for drivers and vehicles licensed by us.

These updates include:

• small changes to the shape and design of door signs
• improvements to the quality of materials used for plates and door signs
• more options for plate fixings and holders to suit all vehicle types

Both the new and old designs will be in circulation while we phase out the old design.

• Vehicle licences are valid for 1 year, and we expect to phase out the old style by March 2025
• Driver badges work on a 3 year renewal period, so both styles will be in circulation until March 2027

There are currently no changes to Executive Vehicle licence holders.

Vehicle plates and badges have holograms for authenticity.

Vehicle plates are fitted with an anti-tamper seal.

View example photos of each of the changes below.

Rear plate

Window card (front)

Window card (back)

Door sign

Driver badge (front)

Driver badge (back)

Rear plate

Window card (front)

Window card (back)

Driver badge (front)

Driver badge (back)

Dual driver badge (front)

Dual driver badge (back)

Taxi drivers and operators are unsure if they can report an incident to the Police if a passenger makes off without paying at the end of a journey.

There are two types of law that apply to these incidents based on the information the passenger has told or not told the driver. The below explains what is considered a Crime and what is a Civil Matter (not a crime).

To apply for a DBS, you will need to provide either:

• your original ID documents in person
• copies certified by the Post Office (they charge £12.75 for this service)

Alternatively, Government approved organisations can verify ID documents digitally as part of the online DBS application:

• the full DBS application can be completed with Taxiplus
• you will need to upload a photo or scan of your ID documents and a selfie

Taxiplus charge £5 plus VAT (£6 including VAT) for this service (called 'Delegated IDV').

Taxiplus provide this online service on our behalf. They are not able to verify ID documents in person.

Drivers had to provide original or certified ID documents before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the pandemic, the DBS service relaxed the rules and accepted electronic copies online.

The DBS service have now confirmed that ID checking should return to pre-covid procedures.

From Wednesday 16 August 2023 the driver application will change. We will be replacing the 2-part driver application with a single application form.

The consolidation of the forms will simplify the application process for drivers. All documentation required in support of an application can now be provided in this single application at the point of submission.

Drivers who have already submitted a Part 1 application can choose to either continue to Part 2 or apply using the new form.