I just have to vent...

The authorities here could still at least allow a dicretionary waiver for some parts of the test, just as some places in the U.S. will do for U.K. license holders.

Everytime we think about doing something, there are all these added fees- get a tv, pay tv tax; get a car, pay road tax; get a place to live, pay council tax; not to mention VAT and the taxes on Petrol.

The one that amazes me is the cost of taxis, which seems out of proportion even to the high cost of driving. But council tax? You're either paying property taxes in the US, or indirectly paying them through rent, so I don't see a difference. Plus, on the other side of the equation, there is a ton of public stuff that's free/cheaper in the UK that often costs $$ in the US: parks, museums, etc. The "no new taxes" mantra in the US has taken "use fees" to an art form in recent years.

Sometimes I feel like my whole life revolves around paying the government for one thing or another, or saving movey to afford to pay the government.

According to The Economist's statistics, the UK public sector takes about 4 to 5% more out of the economy than the US's. So yes, the UK is higher in this regard, but not that much higher.

The one that amazes me is the cost of taxis, which seems out of proportion even to the high cost of driving.

Due in no small part to more taxes and fees.  Taxi licensing is handled by the local authorities so there can be considerable variation from one district to another, but in my area, for example, I happen to know^* that they currently charge £96 for a new driver's license, with annual renewal of £46, plus he needs a medical when starting which is not covered under the NHS, so anything from another £50 to £100 for the private medical.

Then there's the £130 per year inspection & license fee for each vehicle, and that's in addition to the regular road tax, which is paid at the same rate as for any other vehicle of the type in question.  And even though the taxi inspection covers everything which is inspected on the regular MoT inspection and then some, they still have to have the normal MoT test carried out as well, because there's no method of cross-referencing the tests even though they're carried out at the same MoT stations.   

But I understand that this area is relatively cheap compared to some.  A quick search on fees reveals that in one large town (Milton Keynes) they want £344 per year for a Hackney Carriage license.

And all of that is before we even get into public liability insurance, the high and ever-increasing business rates on offices, etc.


^* My local taxi company is one of my clients for maintaining their telephone & computer systems, so I've heard moans about the fees more than once!

I lauged when I needed a change of address form, and they charged me 7 pounds to have my mail forwarded for the first 30 days...after that it just increased in price.  Just insane.