Lewes District Council slammed for ‘devastating’ rise in taxi license fees

Lewes District Council’s decision to increase licensing fees could cause “devastating damage” to the taxi trade, a local councillor has claimed.

The council has voted to put up licensing fees by 60% per cent, and independent councillor Sean MacLeod claimed fees have more than doubled in the six years he has been a councillor.

He said: “It’s staggering considering that we have asked taxis to install CCTV and there are so many things they have to spend money on. We’re hammering them but they’re getting nothing back. Licensing is increasing but meters have only gone up once in that time.”

The increase will come into effect from the 2025/26 financial year. The cost of a three-year Hackney Carriage, Private Hire or dual driver’s licence will rise from £315 to £472.50, an increase of £157.50.

The annual Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle license will rise from £205.50 to £308.50.

Drivers’ test fees are also rising will also be hit. The application fee, which includes a DBS check, knowledge test, and English language test, is rising 50% from £227 to £340.20. Retests for the knowledge exam will now cost £78.75, up from £52.50, while the English language retest fee will go up from £68.25 to £113.30.

Cllr MacLeod said: “I think there is a growing sense of disenfranchisement. Four taxi drivers have already told me they are going to call it a day following the increase. It is just absolutely killing the trade.”

He said the number of hackney taxis registered in the south coast town had dwindled to just 89, blaming the “ridiculously high number” of Uber drivers for the fall.

But Cllr Roy Clay, speaking on behalf of the licensing committee, said: “Our main priority is not just covering the cost of administration with these fees, but the safety of our public.”