Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in St. Helens?
845 vehicles in 2026 against 516 in 2024: taxis 56 → 57, private hire 460 → 788; 4.47 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 56 | 57 | up 2% |
| Private hire vehicles | 460 | 788 | up 71% |
| Driver licences | 554 | 1,163 | up 110% |
| Operator licences | 40 | 51 | up 28% |
How does St. Helens compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, St. Helens ranks 13th of 35 for vehicles per head (4.47 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 17th for operators (51, median 45).[1]
| Measure | St. Helens | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.47 | 3.73 | 13th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 51 | 45 | 17th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 15 | 9 | 13th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 15th of 35 |
What does the St. Helens market look like for an operator?
St. Helens's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 7% taxis, 93% private hire of 845 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 15 PHVs per operator on average (788 across 51 licences).
- 1.4 drivers per vehicle (1,163 for 845): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in St. Helens differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in St. Helens's DfT return.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: St. Helens limits hackney carriage licences (57 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- St. Helens taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for St. Helens private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No age or emission limit for St. Helens taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for St. Helens private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by St. Helens's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does St. Helens grant?
34 new, 20 renewed, 1 revoked; 51 in force (40 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in St. Helens?
From St Helens 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 |
|---|---|
| New hackney carriage / private hire driver's licence: 1 year / 3 years | £98 / £199 |
| Driver's licence renewal: 1 year / 3 years | £75 / £185 |
| Application fee | £27.50 |
| Enhanced DBS check with online ID check (paid to TaxiPlus) | £67.00 |
| Essential training assessment / DVLA history check | £45 / £10 |
| Vehicle licence, hackney or private hire, 12 months | £270 |
| Operator licence, 5 years: 1 vehicle / 2-5 / 6-15 | £612 / £943 / £1,427 |
| Operator licence, 5 years: 31-60 / 101+ vehicles | £2,292 / £3,642 |
St Helens Borough Council: Taxi licensing fees, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a St. Helens driver licence?
New hackney carriage / private hire driver's licence: 1 year / 3 years: £98 / £199, according to St Helens Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in St. Helens?
51 at 1 April 2026, 40 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] St Helens Borough Council: Taxi licensing fees (read 8 Nov 2026)
