Starting March 9, 2026, taxi and private hire drivers in London will encounter substantial increases in licence and test fees, as confirmed by Transport for London (TfL). The Knowledge of London assessment fee will rise from £200 to £225, while the appearance fee will increase from £400 to £425.
Other fees are also set to climb. The safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) test fee will increase from £36 to £40, with a resit fee jumping from £16 to £30. Additionally, drivers will be charged £40 for the topographical skills test, English language speaking and listening test, and SERU assessment.
From June 1, 2026, taxi driver licence fees will increase from £120 to £138, and vehicle licence applications will rise sharply to £205. These prices will also apply to private hire vehicle drivers and vehicles under the new fee structure outlined by TfL.
READ MORE: Save 25% on Chef-Created Plant-Based Ready Meals from Grubby Subscription
Elly Baker AM, chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, expressed concern over licence delays, stating, “Delays to issuing private hire licences have caused a breakdown of trust in TfL. Action is urgently needed to rebuild trust, especially with private hire drivers and their Trade Unions.” She highlighted how these delays are severely affecting driver wellbeing by limiting their ability to work and support themselves and their families.
TfL explained that this is the first fee adjustment since 2017 after a thorough review of licence and assessment fees. The Finance Committee approved the new fees on February 25, 2026. Further details are outlined in the Finance Committee Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees Review paper, with assessment fee changes effective March 9, 2026.