Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Birmingham?
The biggest change since April 2024 is in private hire vehicles: 5,921 then, 6,376 now. With 5.87 licensed vehicles per 1,000 residents, Birmingham sits above the England figure of 5.84. 100% of its taxis are wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 610 | 574 | down 6% |
| Private hire vehicles | 5,921 | 6,376 | up 8% |
| Driver licences | 7,399 | 7,673 | up 4% |
| Operator licences | 146 | 144 | down 1% |
How does licensing in Birmingham differ from other councils?
Birmingham differs from most councils on 6 points in its 2026 return to the DfT. On vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Two tests for Birmingham taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for Birmingham private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Birmingham drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- Birmingham operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Birmingham operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Birmingham's own account to the DfT.
What did Birmingham report about operator licences?
19 new Birmingham operator applications, 105 renewals, with 144 operator licences in force on 1 April 2026, in Birmingham City Council's 2026 return to the DfT. See what Birmingham operators must record.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Birmingham?
From Birmingham City Council's fee page, read 02/11/2026.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Taxi or private hire driver licence, new / renewal (3 years) | £277 / £225 |
| Hackney carriage vehicle, new / renewal | £159 / £142 |
| Private hire vehicle, new / renewal | £196 / £179 |
| Small operator (1-5 vehicles), new: 1 year / 5 years | £501 / £1,329 |
| Operator, new: 1 year / 5 years | £1,122 / £4,435 |
| Large operator (over 500 drivers), new: 5 years | £27,900 |
| Very large operator (over 1,000 drivers), new: 5 years | £37,563 |
| Hackney carriage knowledge test / private hire verbal test | £150 / £75 |
Birmingham City Council fee page, last updated 20 March 2026. Knowledge and verbal tests are non-refundable.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Birmingham driver licence?
Taxi or private hire driver licence, new / renewal (3 years): £277 / £225, according to Birmingham City Council's fee page when we read it.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] Department for Transport: Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026, data tables TAXI0104, TAXI0105 and TAXI0108-TAXI0112 (figures at 1 April 2026) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] Birmingham City Council: Taxi licensing fees and charges (page updated 20 March 2026) (read 2 Nov 2026)
Related
- Taxi licence costs across UK councils
- Private hire operator licence explained
- Taxi knowledge test: what councils test
- Taxi software for Birmingham fleets
- Hackney carriage vs private hire: what is the difference?
- How long does it take to get a taxi licence?
- Taxi and private hire licensing in Wolverhampton
- Taxi and private hire licensing in London