The taxi trade is well served by official guidance and independent organisations, but the useful material is scattered. This page gathers reliable starting points in one place. These are external resources we consider trustworthy; we are not affiliated with any of them, and where rules apply your own local council is always the final authority. Bookmark the ones that fit your situation — a buyer, a seller and a newly licensed driver will each lean on different parts of this list — and always check the date on any official guidance, because taxi rules are reviewed regularly and vary from one licensing district to the next.
Licensing and Official Guidance
- GOV.UK — Being a taxi or private hire driver: the national overview of driver and vehicle requirements.
- Transport for London — Taxis and private hire: the separate London system.
- Your local council's licensing pages: the standards, fees and inspections that actually apply to your vehicle.
Vehicle Checks
- Check MOT history: pass and advisory history for any UK vehicle.
- Get vehicle information from DVLA: tax and basic registration details.
- Taking a vehicle out of the UK: for export.
Money, Finance and Consumer Protection
- Financial Conduct Authority: check a lender or insurer is authorised.
- MoneyHelper: free, impartial budgeting and borrowing guidance.
The Trade Itself
Alongside the official sources, drivers have long relied on trade associations and driver forums for practical, day-to-day knowledge — local rank etiquette, model-specific quirks, and the mood of the trade. Groups such as the long-established Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association represent drivers and publish trade news. Treat forum advice as experience rather than regulation, and confirm anything that affects your licence with the council.
Use These Alongside Our Guides
These resources pair naturally with the practical guides on this site — start with buying a used taxi, understand the licensing basics, and work through the inspection checklist before you commit to any vehicle. Used together, the official sources answer the questions of fact — what the law and your council actually require — while our guides explain how to act on them sensibly in a real purchase or sale.