Taxi grants

If you are the licensed driver of a private hire vehicle (PHV), you may be eligible for a financial incentive to help you upgrade to a vehicle that meets the emission standards for Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. To qualify you will need to meet all three of the following criteria:

• you are the registered owner/keeper of a private hire vehicle that will be subject the Clean Air Zone daily charge.
• you have been the registered owner/keeper of that vehicle since before 10 September 2018
• you are licensed by Birmingham City Council as a Private Hire driver

What can I apply for?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply to one of the following schemes:

1. CAZ PHV Incentive Scheme A - is a grant of up to £1,000 for eligible applicants towards the purchase costs or long-term lease of a Compliant Vehicle which meets the minimum standards required of a Euro 4 or Euro 6 vehicle
2. CAZ PHV Incentive Scheme B - is a grant of up to £2,000 for eligible applicants towards the purchase costs or long-term lease of a Compliant Vehicle which is a hybrid-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is NOT eligible for the government’s plug-in grant
3. CAZ PHV Incentive Scheme C - is a grant of up to £10,000 towards the operating expenses of a fully electric or long-range plug-in hybrid vehicle which is eligible for the government’s plug-in grant. This grant will consist of two annual payments of up to £5,000 each, which could be used to cover costs such as electric charging, insurance, servicing and ranking fees. Ongoing eligibility will be assessed following the production of suitable evidence by the applicant at each payment interval

If you previously owned a vehicle that did not meet the Clean Air Zone emission standards and have upgraded to a vehicle that does meet the standard since 10 September 2018, you may be able to apply for the financial incentive retrospectively but we would still require proofs as listed above.

What do I need to do?

Applications for this scheme will be online. You will need to read the terms and conditions and upload copies of the following documentation:

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 PHV Licence. The Licence must have a minimum of 3 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 PHV 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)

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.

If you do not have the evidence you need

If you are unable to provide us with any of the evidence for the private hire 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 private hire taxis

Page last updated: 4 September 2024