Licence

Taxi operator licence (Northern Ireland)

You need a licence from DVA to run a taxi operation in Northern Ireland

Apply for this licence

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You need a licence from DVA to run a taxi operation in Northern Ireland.

All taxi drivers need to work for a licensed taxi operator, or obtain their own taxi operator licence.

How to apply

Download an application form from the DVA website.

You can apply for a 1, 3, or 5 year licence.

All persons named in the form must provide:

  • an Access NI Basic or Enhanced disclosure certificate issued within 3 months, unless a taxi driver’s licence has been obtained for that person in the previous 3 months
  • a personal declaration form

You may be asked for:

  • planning permission details for your operating premises
  • a Certificate of VAT Registration or HMRC Self Assessment Return
  • evidence of Public Liability Insurance where the public has access to your operating centre
  • evidence of Employer’s Liability Insurance where you have employees
  • proof of identity where any applicant does not have a valid driver’s or taxi driver’s licence
  • your Radio Frequency Licence details

Return your completed applications form to the DVA taxi operator licensing section.

Taxi Section
Driver and Vehicle Agency
148-158 Corporation Street
Belfast
BT1 3DH

Applications will take approximately 8 weeks to process.

Fees and charges

An application fee of £140 is payable.

If your application is successful you have 28 days to complete a ‘Grant of Licence’ form giving details of all vehicles and drivers and must pay a fee, including a fixed fee and a fee for each vehicle.

The fixed fee for a small operator (1 or 2 cars) is:

  • 1 year licence - £15
  • 3 year licence - £45
  • 5 year licence - £75

The fixed fee for a large operator (3 or more cars):

  • 1 year licence - £40
  • 3 year licence - £220
  • 5 year licence - £360

The per vehicle fee for the first 25 vehicles in your business is:

  • 1 year licence £40 per vehicle
  • 3 year licence £120 per vehicle
  • 5 year licence £200 per vehicle

For your business’ 26th vehicle and over, the fee is:

  • 1 year licence £10 per vehicle
  • 3 year licence £12 per vehicle
  • 5 year licence £20 per vehicle

Download ‘Guidance when applying for a taxi operator licence’ (475 KB)

Exemptions

You will not need a taxi operator licence if you provide:

  • transport solely in connection with a wedding
  • courtesy transport as part of another business which is not taxiing, eg funeral undertaker

Conditions

Drivers cannot work for more than 1 taxi operator at a time.