Taxi grants

As the owner of a Birmingham licensed hackney carriage, you may be eligible for a financial incentive if you meet all three of the following criteria:

• are the register owner/keeper of a hackney carriage taxi that will be charged
• have been the register owner/keeper of that vehicle since before 10 September 2018
• are a licensed by Birmingham City Council as a hackney carriage driver

To check if your vehicle meets the required standards of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, use the Government’s vehicle checker.

What can I apply for?

If you meet all three of the above criteria, you can apply for one of the following financial incentive schemes:

1. CAZ HC Incentive Scheme D - is a grant of up to £5,000 towards the costs of a clean vehicle retrofit accreditation scheme (CVRAS) approved Retrofit Solution. The council will provide grant funding of up to £5,000 towards the installation of CVRAS accredited retrofit technology, if the applicant is deemed eligible for the funding. Vehicles retrofitted with technology that does not meet the requirements of this CAZ Incentive scheme will not be eligible for funding.
2. CAZ HC Incentive Scheme E - is a grant of up to £10,000 towards the running costs of an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) HC. The council will provide grant funding of up to £10,000 as a contribution towards the operating expenses of a Birmingham licensed electric or ULEV HC. This funding will consist of two annual payments of up to £5,000 each which can be used to cover costs such as electric charging, insurance, servicing and ranking fees if you are deemed eligible. Ongoing eligibility will be assessed following the production of suitable evidence by you at each payment interval. This funding is only available to new applications. (Existing applicants will continue to receive total up to £5,000 over four annual payments of £1,250)
3. CAZ HC Scheme F - is a grant of up to £5,000 towards the purchase or lease of a compliant HC for an eligible applicant.

If you had previously owned a non-compliant vehicle, but have upgraded to a compliant vehicle since 10 September 2018, you may be able to apply for the financial support retrospectively.

Watch a video featuring a taxi driver discussing the benefits of a CVRAS retrofit solution

What do I need to do?

Applications to each of these schemes will be online.

You will need to read the terms and conditions and submit copies of the following documentation when you apply:

Evidence of documents for compliant vehicle

1. Copy of the full V5C document
2. Email confirmation from Birmingham City Council Licensing or a copy of an up-to-date HC Licence. The certificate must have a minimum of three months remaining from date of expiry
3. Invoice of purchase or copy of lease agreement including the vehicle’s details.
4. Copy of the applicant’s driver licence
5. If the vehicle registration is private number, applicant to provide copy of eV948 certificate (electronic number plate authorisation certificate)

Evidence of documents for non-compliant vehicle

1. Copy of the full V5C. If you are unable to provide this, you can contact the DVLA by using Form V888 to request information about a vehicle or its registered keeper. Further information and contact details for the DVLA can be found on their website
2. Copy of the HC Licence covering the period of 10 September 2018. In the absence of this, email confirmation from Birmingham City Council Licensing
3. If the vehicle registration is private number, applicant to provide copy of eV948 certificate (electronic number plate authorisation certificate).

Additional evidence will be required if you have applied for Scheme D - CVRAS (Installation of retrofit).

1. Copy of invoice showing deposit paid or invoice showing full payment
2. Copy of CVRAS/VRS certificate (if retrofit has already been completed)

Important Note: If you are applying for Scheme D - Clean Air Retrofit Accreditation Scheme, we may grant you a temporary exemption from the daily charge following the submission of your application if the relevant evidence has been provided.

Once you have submitted your application outlining your preferred financial option along with your supporting evidence and preferred support package, we will process your details and be in touch with a decision. Vehicle documentation will be required for existing and new vehicles prior to any payment being made.

Prior to making an application please ensure you have access to the relevant evidence. Failure to do so will result in a delay in your application being processed. 

If you do not have the evidence you need

If you are unable to provide us with any of the evidence for the hackney carriage financial incentive schemes, please read these instructions and follow carefully:

1. You can contact the DVLA to request information about a vehicle or its registered keeper. Further information and contact details for the DVLA can be found on their website
2. If private registration, you must provide us with original registration from the DVLA (number plate authorisation certificate eV948).
3. For Taxi Plate certificates or confirmation, you will need to contact BCC Licensing Team yourself (licensing@birmingham.gov.uk) and ascertain an email confirmation that your previous non-compliant vehicle was licensed with them.
4. If you have hired or leased your previous non-compliant vehicle or current compliant vehicle and the V5c is not registered in your name, you must provide us with the full agreement from the hire/lease company that shows your full name, address and dates the vehicle was hire or leased.

Apply for hackney carriage taxis

Watch one of our taxi support videos for more information

Page last updated: 4 September 2024