Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Rochdale?
The biggest change since April 2024 is in driver licences: 2,060 then, 2,813 now. With 8.91 licensed vehicles per 1,000 residents, Rochdale sits above the England figure of 5.84. 26% of its taxis are wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 98 | 87 | down 11% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,563 | 2,012 | up 29% |
| Driver licences | 2,060 | 2,813 | up 37% |
| Operator licences | 30 | 33 | up 10% |
How does licensing in Rochdale differ from other councils?
Rochdale differs from most councils on 6 points in its 2026 return to the DfT. On vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Rochdale limits hackney carriage licences (87 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Rochdale taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Rochdale private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Rochdale operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Rochdale asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Rochdale's own account to the DfT.
What did Rochdale report about operator licences?
15 new Rochdale operator applications, 20 renewals, with 33 operator licences in force on 1 April 2026, in Rochdale Borough Council's 2026 return to the DfT. See what Rochdale operators must record.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Rochdale?
From Rochdale Borough Council's fee page, read 02/11/2026.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver, first licence: 1 year / 3 years | £110 / £258 |
| Driver renewal: 1 year / 3 years | £74 / £222 |
| Combined taxi and private hire driver, first licence: 1 year / 3 years | £168 / £420 |
| Vehicle, new / renewal | £339 / £291 plus private MOT |
| Area knowledge re-test | £43 |
| Operator, 1 vehicle: 1 year / 5 years | £208 / £1,042 |
| Operator, 2-10 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £396 / £1,980 |
| Operator, 11-20 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £556 / £2,781 |
Rochdale Borough Council fee page, read 2 November 2026. DBS checks are paid separately.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Rochdale driver licence?
Driver, first licence: 1 year / 3 years: £110 / £258, according to Rochdale Borough 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] Rochdale Borough Council: Public hire and private hire driver fees (read 2 Nov 2026)
Related
- Taxi licence costs across UK councils
- Private hire operator licence explained
- Taxi knowledge test: what councils test
- 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