To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) to detail the average yearly costs for taxi drivers before any outgoing payments are made, such as payments for (a) required courses; (b) average insurance costs; (c) medical costs; and (d) any other legally required expenses; and (ii) for his assessment of the impact of these fees on the reduction in taxi driver numbers in recent years.

My Department is responsible for the regulation of the taxi industry, in relation to taxi driver, taxi operator and vehicle licencing. Many costs associated with being a taxi driver such as, fuel, depot charges, car rental/hire purchase are outside the remit of my Department. For your reference I have provided detail below in relation to the various aspects of licencing.

(i) (a) Taxi drivers are required to complete 35 hours training across the 5-year validity of their taxi licence. Courses are delivered by DVA approved training providers who set the cost of their training. Costs vary, with some costing as little as £35.

(b) Insurance costs are a commercial matter and outside the remit of my Department.

(c) Drivers must provide a Taxi Medical Report when applying for or renewing their Taxi Driver Licence, with drivers aged 45 and over required to provide one annually. Any charge for these reports, is at the discretion of the GP Practice. My officials have advised me that the BMA’s suggested rate for a Taxi Medical Report is currently £120.

(d) The fee for a first-time application for a taxi driver licence is £140, and £105 for a renewal. A taxi driver licence is normally valid for 5 years.

A taxi vehicle licence costs £147 and is valid for one year. Class A and B taxis can incur a taxi meter test charge of £42. This charge is not incurred again unless the taximeter needs to be retested.

A Taxi Operator Licence costs £140 and once awarded each operator must pay an annual Grant Licence fee, which is dependent on the size of the fleet which they operate.

(ii) The taxi industry operates within the wider context of the existing economic situation and there are many factors that contribute to the current shortage of taxi drivers. I have no evidence to suggest that the fees detailed above have any direct influence on the reducing the number of drivers.