School transport driver licensing option in Reading may be scrapped, pushing up costs for current drivers
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Drivers taking pupils to school in Reading may soon face higher costs, as Reading Borough Council considers changes to the school transport licensing system.
The council is proposing to scrap the current school transport licence and instead require all drivers to hold a private hire taxi licence. The move comes amid an overspend on school transport provision, which largely serves children with education, health and care (EHC) plans.
At present, it costs £240 to obtain a school transport licence, with an additional £100 to licence the vehicle. A full private hire licence costs £315, making it more expensive overall.
The concern is that the changes may force many of the part-time drivers, often retirees or family members of taxi drivers, to meet the full requirements of private hire licensing. Critics argue this would discourage people from continuing in these roles and could reduce the availability of school transport drivers.
Speaking at a recent policy committee meeting, Alan Parkinson of Green Metro Cars said: “Removing the school run licence would create a massive hole. Getting school transport a Private Hire badge is just not happening. They are not interested in putting that effort in.”
Mr Parkinson explained his firm transports 1,000 children daily, adding that using drivers on school transport licences remains far cheaper than licensing them as private hire operators.
Clyde Masson, the council’s principal licensing officer, said the school transport licence has been subsidised since 2006. He questioned why the council should continue supporting it given wider changes in the industry.
Mr Parkinson responded that school transport is specialist work, requiring drivers to undergo specific training and support children with a range of complex needs.
Despite concerns, councillors at the licensing applications committee unanimously agreed to proceed with a statutory consultation on the proposal. The eight-week consultation will run on the council’s Go Vocal website.
