Private Hire and Taxi Vehicle, Driver and Operator Licence Fees Consultation

Overview

We are seeking your views on our fee proposals for taxis and private hire operator, driver and vehicle licensing.

Since the formation of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), the Council has been working to align the different taxi and private hire licensing processes previously used by the former district and borough councils of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire. The proposed licensing fees would bring these historic arrangements together into one clear, consistent structure for operators, drivers, and vehicles.

Background

Under national legislation, anyone wishing to drive or operate a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle in West Northants must hold the appropriate licence issued by the Council. All applicants are required to apply to the Council for the application and or renewal of their licence.   

Sections 53(2) and 70 of The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allows the Council to set a fee based on cost recovery of the taxi and private hire service. This requires the us to recover no more than our reasonable costs and prohibits charging fees for profit.  So that means, while we may choose to charge less than the actual cost, we cannot charge more. Any shortfall of funds would need to be covered by the Council's general reserves, and currently no such funds have been identified.

Our proposal

A  review has been carried out to determine the appropriate level for WNC Taxi and Private Hire Licence fees. In setting our proposed fees, we have followed guidance and toolkits provided by the Institute of Licensing, which support local authorities in this process.

Find more information about our fee proposals (opens in a new window).

We anticipate the revised fees will apply within the next financial year at a date to be confirmed.

How to take part

We will welcome views from all stakeholders and in particular we would like to hear from licensed vehicle proprietors, drivers, operator and all other interested parties.

Please complete our online survey using the "share your views" link below or contact us using the details provided. 

If you have any questions or need this survey in another format, get in touch using the same contact details. You don't have to answer every question and if you are unsure about a question, feel free to skip it. Please allow enough time to complete and return before the closing date. Responses received after the closing date will not be accepted. 

Email: licensing@westnorthants,gov.uk

Postal address: 

• Licensing Team
• West Northamptonshire Council
• One Angel Square (Service Yard)
• Angel Street
• Northampton
• NN1 1ED

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the Licensing privacy notice (opens in a new window).

This consultation closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 5 February 2026. 

What happens next?

The consultation findings will be presented to the Taxi and General Licensing Committee and will be used to inform their decision about fee charges.