PHTM - The trades favourite read
Join the PHTM WhatsApp Channel Follow PHTM on Facebook
  • Home
  • Newspaper
    • View the Digital Edition
    • Register for the digital edition
    • Advertising rates
    • Artwork specifications
  • PHTM EXPO 2026
    • Register now for 2026
    • PHTM Expo 2025 Recap
  • Tables
    • Hackney Taxi Fare Tables
    • No. of Taxis & PH Vehicles in England/Wales
    • No. of Taxis & PH Drivers in England/Wales
  • Trade Index
  • Contact
Cab Direct
  • Newspaper
    • Digital Issue
  • PHTM EXPO 2026
    • Register for 2026
    • PHTM EXPO 2025 RECAP
  • Tables
    • Hackney Taxi Fare Tables
    • No. of Taxis & PH Vehicles in England/Wales
    • No. of Taxis & PH Drivers in England/Wales
  • Trade Index
Posted on the 17th March 2026 in PHTM News

LONDON TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS HIT WITH FEE HIKES PLUS FARE RISE TO COME IN APRIL

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed a wave of price increases that will force taxi and private hire drivers to pay significantly more for their licences and tests.

These changes come as motorists across the country already struggle with a high cost of living.

Starting March 9, 2026, the cost for the famous "Knowledge of London" assessment rose to £225, while the appearance fee climbed to £425, up from £200 and £400 respectively.

Drivers are also paying more for safety and regulatory tests, with resit fees nearly doubling from £16 to £30. Private hire drivers face similar increases for English language and topographical skills assessments.

The financial pressure will intensify on June 1, 2026, when taxi driver licence prices will rise from £120 to £138, while the taxi vehicle licence application fee will increase to £70 from £66 and the grant of licence fee to £50 from £44.

The PHV driver licence application fee will jump to £138 from £124; PHV driver grant of licence fee rises to £205 from £186; PHV licence application fee and grant of licence fee remain at £84 and £56 respectively.

These updates mark the first changes to licensing fees since 2017 and follow a formal review of industry fares.

This price hike arrives during a period of frustration for London drivers. A massive backlog in licensing has left hundreds of motorists waiting for permission to work.

Elly Baker AM, chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, criticised TfL for the delays, noting they have caused a "breakdown of trust" between the regulator and the industry.

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

Passengers will also feel the pinch starting April 25, 2026.

The minimum taxi fare will increase from £4.20 to £4.40, and tariffs 1,2and 3 will rise by nearly 3 per cent. Tariff 4 rates will be the same as the new Tariff 2 rates, with these applying for journeys over six miles at all times.

Additionally, a new £6 drop-off charge will be introduced for London City Airport, though drivers are instructed that Blue Badge holders "must not" be charged this extra fee.

While drivers must pay more to stay on the road, TfL confirmed there will be no change to the fee for using the airport’s taxi rank.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share to X

Read another story

  • LICHFIELD PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER SPARED JAIL AFTER JUDGE COUNTS OUT FATAL FIVE SECOND LAPSELICHFIELD PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER SPARED JAIL AFTER JUDGE COUNTS OUT FATAL FIVE SECOND LAPSE

    Walter Burke, 63, was found guilty of causing death by careless driving following a trial that featured a dramatic courtroom demonstration of his failure to react.Read More

  • THREE ARRESTED AFTER GRIMSBY TAXI DRIVER ROBBED AT KNIFEPOINTTHREE ARRESTED AFTER GRIMSBY TAXI DRIVER ROBBED AT KNIFEPOINT

    The driver was reportedly approached by three men wearing face coverings who "threatened him with a knife and stole £200" before running away.Read More

  • WOLVERHAMPTON PH DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AND COURT BATTLE OVER ILLEGAL GHOST PLATESWOLVERHAMPTON PH DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AND COURT BATTLE OVER ILLEGAL GHOST PLATES

    Aqeel Shakeel’s appeal was dismissed at Dudley Magistrates' Court following a council investigation that used "state-of-the-art technology" to prove his Audi A4 was equipped with the deceptive plates.Read More

  • DERBY COUNCILLORS REJECT "RIDICULOUS" PLAN TO BAN THEM FROM TAXI DRIVER MEETINGSDERBY COUNCILLORS REJECT RIDICULOUS PLAN TO BAN THEM FROM TAXI DRIVER MEETINGS

    Council officers had suggested that future talks should only include senior staff and drivers to avoid "political bias" and "maintain impartiality in the council’s licensing functions."Read More

  • UBER MOVES INTO WILTSHIRE TO TACKLE DRIVER SHORTAGE DESPITE LOCAL CONCERNSUBER MOVES INTO WILTSHIRE TO TACKLE DRIVER SHORTAGE DESPITE LOCAL CONCERNS

    The move comes as the county struggles with a sharp decline in taxi numbers, with figures showing that more than a fifth of licensed drivers - a total of 218 - have left the trade since the pandemic.Read More

  • CABBIES FACE FINANCIAL CRISIS AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT DRIVES FUEL COSTS UPCABBIES FACE FINANCIAL CRISIS AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT DRIVES FUEL COSTS UP

    According to the RAC, average petrol prices have hit 139.64p a litre since the violence began, leaving many drivers struggling to stay profitable.Read More

  • CHESTER MAN SENTENCED TO UNPAID WORK AFTER DRUNKEN CHRISTMAS ATTACK ON TAXI DRIVERCHESTER MAN SENTENCED TO UNPAID WORK AFTER DRUNKEN CHRISTMAS ATTACK ON TAXI DRIVER

    Terrence Harrington pleaded guilty to attacking driver Mahmoud Arras on December 20, claiming he was left at the "wrong street" while under the influence of eight pints of cider.Read More

  • ABERDEEN LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON SCRAPPING CONTROVERSIAL TAXI KNOWLEDGE TESTABERDEEN LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON SCRAPPING CONTROVERSIAL TAXI KNOWLEDGE TEST

    The move comes as the Granite City struggles with a severe driver shortage, with only 508 licensed taxis currently operating - less than half of the 1,079 allowed under the city's official limit.Read More

  • SOUTHEND REVOKES LICENCES OF SIX CABBIES TO PROTECT PASSENGER SAFETYSOUTHEND REVOKES LICENCES OF SIX CABBIES TO PROTECT PASSENGER SAFETY

    While none of the drivers faced criminal prosecution between 2022 and 2024, officials confirmed that each individual failed to meet the city’s strict safety criteria.Read More

  • TAXI GANG JAILED AFTER SMUGGLING HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS FROM UK TO FRANCETAXI GANG JAILED AFTER SMUGGLING HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS FROM UK TO FRANCE

    The operation was led by 54-year-old Madjid Belabes, an Uber Eats driver who pocketed nearly £290,000 by charging people £1,200 each to be transported to mainland Europe.Read More

  • PORTSMOUTH TO PROBE SAFETY GAPS BETWEEN LOCAL TAXIS/PHVS AND WOLVERHAMPTON RIVALSPORTSMOUTH TO PROBE SAFETY GAPS BETWEEN LOCAL TAXISPHVS AND WOLVERHAMPTON RIVALS

    A detailed report headed to the licensing committee compares the two cities' rules on driver checks, vehicle standards and enforcement rules.Read More

  • THE TAXI CENTRE MARKS 25 YEARS SUPPORTING THE UK'S TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS THE TAXI CENTRE MARKS 25 YEARS SUPPORTING THE UKS TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS

    Glasgow-based The Taxi Centre, has celebrated 25 years supporting drivers across the country, as the company prepares to move to new premises.Read More

  • ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN SOUTHAMPTON SEES HALF OF VEHICLES CHECKED FAIL MECHANICAL INSPECTIONSENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN SOUTHAMPTON SEES HALF OF VEHICLES CHECKED FAIL MECHANICAL INSPECTIONS

    A joint enforcement operation by Roads Policing officers and Southampton City Council licensing officers stopped 24 vehicles operating in the city for full mechanical inspections.Read More

  • UBER EXPANDS WOMEN ONLY PAIRING OPTION ACROSS THE US AMID LEGAL BATTLESUBER EXPANDS WOMEN ONLY PAIRING OPTION ACROSS THE US AMID LEGAL BATTLES

    The move, aimed at making women feel "more comfortable in the back seat" and "more confident behind the wheel," follows a successful pilot programme.Read More

  • INVERCLYDE TAXI FARES SET TO RISE BY 8 PER CENT AS DRIVERS FACE SURVIVAL BATTLEINVERCLYDE TAXI FARES SET TO RISE BY 8 PER CENT AS DRIVERS FACE SURVIVAL BATTLE

    Taxi passengers in Inverclyde are facing an 8 per cent increase in fares after local councillors moved forward with plans to raise the cost of travel across the district. The proposal, which includes hikes to both the inRead More

  • VICTORY FOR PH DRIVERS AS DERBY COUNCIL RELAXES PHV AGE RULE DESPITE SAFETY WARNINGSVICTORY FOR PH DRIVERS AS DERBY COUNCIL RELAXES PHV AGE RULE DESPITE SAFETY WARNINGS

    Derby city bosses have voted to soften a controversial rule regarding the age of private hire vehicles, raising the age limit for newly licensed cars from the suggested five years to nine years.Read More

  • COMPANY ACCUSED OF RISKING PUBLIC SAFETY WITH BACK OF VAN MEDICAL SCAMCOMPANY ACCUSED OF RISKING PUBLIC SAFETY WITH BACK OF VAN MEDICAL SCAM

    The company, Doctors on Wheels Ltd, is accused of submitting bogus medical forms to the DVLA for drivers seeking to operate taxis, buses and lorries.Read More

  • FIFE TAXI FARES SET TO RISE AS COUNCILLORS BALANCE DRIVER COSTS AND PASSENGER BUDGETSFIFE TAXI FARES SET TO RISE AS COUNCILLORS BALANCE DRIVER COSTS AND PASSENGER BUDGETS

    Under the new agreement, daytime fares will increase by five per cent, while night-time journeys between 10pm and 6am will jump by 10 per cent.Read More

  • GANGLAND FOOT SOLDIERS JAILED FOR 25 YEARS AFTER FIREBOMBING TAXI OFFICE AND VEHICLESGANGLAND FOOT SOLDIERS JAILED FOR 25 YEARS AFTER FIREBOMBING TAXI OFFICE AND VEHICLES

    Kieran Abercrombie, Robert Thomson, Kenzie Gardner, and Tyler Ramage carried out the attacks in May 2025 as part of an escalating "gangland war" between rival crime families.Read More

  • SOUTHAMPTON KEEPS STRICT LIMIT ON TAXI NUMBERS AFTER SURVEY FINDS NO EXTRA DEMANDSOUTHAMPTON KEEPS STRICT LIMIT ON TAXI NUMBERS AFTER SURVEY FINDS NO EXTRA DEMAND

    The decision follows an independent survey which confirmed there is currently no evidence of "unmet demand" from the public.Read More

Load More News

    PHTM MARCH 2026

    READ | PRINT | SUBSCRIBE

    phtm digital newspaper MARCH 2026

    Follow PHTM
    LinkedIn

    phtm whatsapp channel

      • Checked Safe
      • TakeMe
      • autologica
      • hollogram
      • Patons Insurance
      • Autocab
      • taxi insurer
      • Birkdale Insurance Group
      • iCabbi
      • The Taxi Centre
      • Cab Direct
      • Taxi CCTV
      • Acorn Taxi Insurance
      • Patterson Law
      • EaziTax
PHTM • 11 Heaton Lodge • Bury Old Road
Manchester • M25 1NZ • 0161 688 7777
Join the PHTM WhatsApp Channel Follow PHTM on Facebook Follow PHTM on LinkedIn Follow PHTM on X
All content Copyright © 2026  CONTACT | ABOUT | PRIVACY
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited