Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Walsall?
The biggest change since April 2024 is in taxis: 67 then, 47 now. With 4.39 licensed vehicles per 1,000 residents, Walsall sits below the England figure of 5.84. 100% of its taxis are wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 67 | 47 | down 30% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,288 | 1,250 | down 3% |
| Driver licences | 1,643 | 1,781 | up 8% |
| Operator licences | 59 | 104 | up 76% |
How does licensing in Walsall differ from other councils?
Walsall differs from most councils on 4 points in its 2026 return to the DfT. On vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- No knowledge test for Walsall private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Walsall drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No convictions policy required of Walsall operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Walsall's own account to the DfT.
What did Walsall report about operator licences?
7 new Walsall operator applications, 27 renewals, with 104 operator licences in force on 1 April 2026, in Walsall Council's 2026 return to the DfT. See what Walsall operators must record.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Walsall?
From Walsall Council's fee page, read 02/11/2026.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver licence: 12 months / 3 years | £70 / £180 |
| Dual taxi and private hire driver licence: 12 months / 3 years | £80 / £190 |
| DBS application / hackney knowledge test | £61.72 / £30 |
| Private hire driver training course and test | more than £60 |
| Vehicle licence: new or replacement / renewal | £250.28 / £229.72 |
| Operator, new (5 years): 1-2 vehicles / 3 or more | £350 / £550 |
| Operator, renewal (5 years): 1-2 vehicles / 3 or more | £300 / £500 |
Walsall Council fees page, read 2 November 2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Walsall driver licence?
Driver licence: 12 months / 3 years: £70 / £180, according to Walsall 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] Walsall Council: Private hire and hackney carriage licensing 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