Which licence does the business itself need?
The one that covers taking bookings and sending drivers. Its name and issuer change by place, but the idea is the same: the regulator checks who runs the business, then holds it responsible for using only licensed drivers and vehicles and for keeping records.
| Place | Licence for the business | Issued by | Key facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | Private hire operator licence | Local council | Up to 5 years; driver, vehicle and operator must share one authority |
| London | Private hire operator licence | Transport for London | Driver and vehicle fees changed in 2026 (Notice 05/26) |
| Scotland | Booking office licence | Local council | Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 |
| Northern Ireland | Taxi operator licence | Driver and Vehicle Agency | £140 to apply; small (up to 2 taxis) or large |
| New York City | TLC base license | Taxi and Limousine Commission | $1,500 for 3 years (livery); $5,000 bond; 10 vehicles |
| New South Wales | Booking service provider authorisation | Point to Point Transport Commissioner | Needed even by drivers who take their own bookings |
Does a driver who takes their own bookings need a business licence?
Often, yes. In New South Wales a taxi, rideshare or hire-car driver who takes bookings directly from customers counts as a booking service provider and must be authorised. In England and Wales, a driver who takes private hire bookings needs an operator licence or must work for a licensed operator.[7][1]
What does the regulator expect the business to do once licensed?
Use only licensed drivers and vehicles, keep a record of every booking, handle complaints and let inspectors see the records. In England and Wales, almost every council lists the booking details operators must record.
See what operators must record and how TaxiDex keeps booking records.
Frequently asked questions
Is a taxi business license the same as a business registration?
No. Registering a company or trading name is separate; the taxi business licence is the transport regulator's permission to take bookings and dispatch licensed drivers.
Do I need a business licence if all my work comes from Uber or Bolt?
Usually not your own: the platform holds the operator or booking licence. You still need your own driver and vehicle licences from the right authority.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] GOV.UK: Operator licences for private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] Transport for London: Notice 05/26, Taxi and private hire licence fees (13 March 2026) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] GOV.UK: Private hire vehicle or minicab licence (Scotland) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [4] nidirect: Apply for a taxi operator licence (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [5] NYC Business: Livery car base license (fees) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [6] NYC TLC: Livery bases (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [7] NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner: Booking service providers (read 2 Nov 2026)