Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Knowsley?
5,115 vehicles in 2026 against 2,314 in 2024: taxis 224 → 198, private hire 2,090 → 4,917; 31.46 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 224 | 198 | down 12% |
| Private hire vehicles | 2,090 | 4,917 | up 135% |
| Driver licences | 3,661 | 7,449 | up 103% |
| Operator licences | 41 | 61 | up 49% |
How does Knowsley compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Knowsley ranks 1st of 35 for vehicles per head (31.46 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 14th for operators (61, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Knowsley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 31.46 | 3.73 | 1st of 35 |
| Operator licences | 61 | 45 | 14th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 81 | 9 | 1st of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 13th of 35 |
What does the Knowsley market look like for an operator?
Knowsley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 4% taxis, 96% private hire of 5,115 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 81 PHVs per operator on average (4,917 across 61 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (7,449 for 5,115): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 7,185 PHV-only, 212 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Knowsley differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Knowsley's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Knowsley limits hackney carriage licences (198 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Knowsley taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Knowsley private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Knowsley operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Knowsley taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Knowsley private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Knowsley asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
How many operator licences does Knowsley grant?
33 new, 22 renewed, 12 refused; 61 in force (41 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Knowsley?
From Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's own fee page, read 08/11/2026. Fees are reviewed each year, usually from April, so check the page before you apply.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver licence, new: 1 year / 3 years | £66 / £110 |
| Driver licence renewal: 1 year / 3 years | £60.50 / £104.50 |
| Private hire vehicle, new: under 8 years (12 months) / 8 years or more (6 months) | £242 / £176 |
| Vehicle renewal: under 8 years (12 months) / 8 years or more (6 months) | £231 / £170.50 |
| Full DVSA MOT test / re-test | £60.00 / £15.00 |
Knowsley Council: Taxi and private hire licence fees, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Knowsley driver licence?
Driver licence, new: 1 year / 3 years: £66 / £110, according to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Knowsley?
61 at 1 April 2026, 41 at 1 April 2024 (DfT).
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] DfT taxi and private hire vehicle statistics 2026, tables TAXI0104-TAXI0112 (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] Knowsley Council: Taxi and private hire licence fees (read 8 Nov 2026)
