National baseline applied (DfT standards). Check your council's own policy — cycles can be stricter locally.
What to renew, and how often
| Requirement | Cycle | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|---|
DBS Update Service subscription Keep the annual subscription live and record its renewal date | Yearly | DBS certificate number + Update Service renewal date |
Six-month DBS status check The council re-checks your status roughly every six months — know when the next one lands | Every 6 months | Date and outcome of the last status check |
Safeguarding & equality training Pass the course, keep the certificate, refresh every three years | Every 3 years | Training certificate + completion date |
Group 2 medical Copy the next medical date printed on your driver licence — certificates only count if under 8 weeks old | Council-set date | Medical certificate + the accepted next-due date |
Vehicle compliance test Twice a year in Cambridge — the certificate lasts six months and the car can't work without it | Every 6 months | Certificate of compliance + next test booking |
Taximeter certificate Meter sealed, set to the current tariff, certificate carried in the vehicle | Yearly | Meter installation/compliance certificate |
Plates, signs & badge on display Plates, door signs, fare chart, complaints info and your badge — visible whenever the car works | Ongoing | Photo proof of displays (retake after any change of car) |
CCTV to council specification Cambridge requires in-vehicle CCTV meeting its published spec — keep the installation evidence | Ongoing | Installation certificate / spec-compliance note |
Designated WAV duties If your vehicle is on the council's s167 list, the s165 wheelchair duties apply to every hiring | Ongoing | Your vehicle's entry on the designated list |
Assistance dogs carried Carry assistance dogs at no extra charge — unless you hold a displayed medical exemption | Ongoing | Nothing if you comply; the exemption certificate if you hold one |
Medical exemption certificate If exempt from wheelchair/dog duties: certificate displayed in the vehicle, review date tracked | Council-set date | The exemption notice + its expiry/review date |
Sensible hours, logged Keep logging shifts — your hours record is your protection after any incident | Ongoing | Shift log with start/end times (your logbook) |
Lost property routine Quick search after every hiring; hand items in within 24 hours and keep a note | Ongoing | A dated note per item — what, when, where handed in |
Records an inspector can ask for
- DBS certificate number and issue date
- Update Service subscription and its annual renewal date
- A note of each six-month status check (date + outcome)
- Training certificate or pass record
- Completion date and the refresher due date (three years on in Cambridge)
- The medical certificate itself (council keeps the original)
- Date it was done and the next due date printed on your licence
- Any follow-up the council asked for
- Certificate of compliance and the next test date
- Taximeter installation/compliance certificate
- Photo proof that plates, signs, fare chart and badge are displayed
- Whether your vehicle is on the council's designated WAV list
- Any medical exemption certificate, its display and review date
- A short note of any hiring where a wheelchair or aid couldn't safely be carried
- Shift start/end times and breaks (your logbook does this)
- Lost property notes — what, when, where it was handed in
Common questions
How do I renew my taxi licence in Ely?
Renew through East Cambridgeshire District Council before your badge and plate expire. You'll typically need a current enhanced DBS (kept live on the Update Service), a valid Group 2 medical, your vehicle's test, and any refresher training. Confirm the exact steps, fees and cycles with the council directly.
How often is a taxi vehicle tested here?
Many councils test licensed vehicles more often than the annual MOT — twice a year is common. Confirm East Cambridgeshire District Council's cycle, and re-test promptly after any fail to avoid the plate being suspended.
What records should I keep for licensing?
Keep your DBS certificate number and Update Service renewal date, medical date, badge and plate expiry dates, insurance, and any training certificates — the evidence a licensing officer can ask to see at any time.
General information, current for July 2026. Licensing rules are set locally and change — always confirm the detail with East Cambridgeshire District Council before you rely on it.
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