Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Liverpool?
4,052 vehicles in 2026 against 3,568 in 2024: taxis 1,338 → 1,316, private hire 2,230 → 2,736; 7.96 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 1,338 | 1,316 | down 2% |
| Private hire vehicles | 2,230 | 2,736 | up 23% |
| Driver licences | 4,101 | 4,743 | up 16% |
| Operator licences | 121 | 199 | up 64% |
How does Liverpool compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Liverpool ranks 6th of 35 for vehicles per head (7.96 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 1st for operators (199, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Liverpool | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 7.96 | 3.73 | 6th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 199 | 45 | 1st of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 14 | 9 | 14th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 14th of 35 |
What does the Liverpool market look like for an operator?
Liverpool's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 32% taxis, 68% private hire of 4,052 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 14 PHVs per operator on average (2,736 across 199 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (4,743 for 4,052).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 3,117 PHV-only, 1,626 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 7 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Liverpool differ from other councils?
8 departures from the usual rules in Liverpool's DfT return.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Liverpool limits hackney carriage licences (1,316 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Liverpool taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Liverpool private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Liverpool drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- Liverpool operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Liverpool operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Liverpool private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Liverpool's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Liverpool grant?
38 new, 12 renewed, 1 refused; 199 in force (121 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Liverpool?
199 at 1 April 2026, 121 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] Liverpool City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
