Taxi licence in Knowsley: cost, how to apply and how long it takes
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Knowsley Council's own published pages on the date above
Knowsley Council charges £66 for a new 1-year private hire or hackney carriage driver licence, or £110 for 3 years - with renewals slightly cheaper at £60.50 and £104.50 - making it one of the lower headline driver licence fees in this research pass (Knowsley Council, 23 August 2026).
What Knowsley asks for in return is more demanding than the fee suggests: a Level 2 Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi & Private Hire, covering 9 separate units, plus an English Skills Assessment.
This page sets out Knowsley's own published fees and requirements - for the wider system, see our taxi and private hire hub, and for the general driver process, see how to become a taxi driver.
This is general information sourced from Knowsley Council's own website, not professional or legal advice - always confirm current fees and requirements with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about taxi licensing in Knowsley?
Knowsley requires a full Level 2 Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi & Private Hire, covering 9 units, rather than a single in-house knowledge test - if you don't already hold it, you'll need to book a place with an accredited vocational trainer via the National Careers Service (Knowsley Council, 23 August 2026).
The council is also strict about who can carry out your medical: only a GP at your own registered surgery, or another practitioner with full electronic access to your medical records, can complete it - medical questionnaires from a GP without that access are rejected outright.
What does a Knowsley taxi or private hire driver licence cost?
Knowsley's published fees page lists new and renewal driver licence costs by term length (Knowsley Council, 23 August 2026).
This is the driver licence fee only - the Level 2 vocational qualification, English Skills Assessment, medical and DBS certificate are separate costs set by the training provider, GP and DBS respectively, not the council. Read Knowsley Council's taxi/private hire fees page →
✓ Checked against Knowsley Council, 23 August 2026
What do you need to apply in Knowsley?
| Requirement | Knowsley's standard |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Level 2 Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi & Private Hire, all 9 units evidenced |
| English Skills Assessment | Tests spoken and written English plus taxi driving fundamentals; 2 attempts allowed |
| Enhanced DBS check | Full certificate required, all pages, dated within 2 months of application; Taxi Plus can process one if you don't already have it |
| Medical | DVLA Group 2 standard, only from your own registered GP or a practitioner with full record access; eye test, blood pressure and general health checks included |
How do you apply for a Knowsley taxi licence?
Knowsley Council publishes separate application pages for new hackney driver and new private hire driver licences (Knowsley Council, 23 August 2026).
- Get your Level 2 Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi & Private Hire if you don't already hold it, via an accredited vocational trainer.
- Pass your English Skills Assessment (up to 2 attempts allowed).
- Get your medical from your own registered GP or a practitioner with full access to your medical records, confirming the DVLA Group 2 standard.
- Apply for your enhanced DBS certificate (dated within 2 months of application) - via Taxi Plus if you don't already have one.
- Submit your application and pay your chosen term's fee - £66 (1 year) or £110 (3 years) new, or the lower renewal rate.
How long does a Knowsley taxi licence take?
Knowsley Council's published fees page doesn't set out a fixed working-day processing timescale (Knowsley Council, 23 August 2026) - most of the time in practice goes on completing your Level 2 qualification and English Skills Assessment before you can even submit a complete application, so start early.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Knowsley taxi licence cost?
A new driver licence is £66 for 1 year or £110 for 3 years; renewals are £60.50 and £104.50. This is the licence fee only - the qualification, medical and DBS certificate are separate costs.
What qualification do I need to drive a taxi in Knowsley?
A Level 2 Qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi & Private Hire, covering 9 units, booked with an accredited vocational trainer if you don't already hold it.
Who can do my medical for a Knowsley taxi licence?
Only a GP at your own registered surgery, or another practitioner with full electronic access to your medical records - questionnaires from a GP without that access are rejected.
How old can my DBS certificate be in Knowsley?
It must be dated within 2 months of your application date, and you need to submit all pages of the full Enhanced DBS Certificate.
How many attempts do I get at Knowsley's English Skills Assessment?
Two attempts are allowed.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Knowsley Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice - for anything specific to your application, contact Knowsley Council's licensing team directly.