DfT 2023 best practice pushes councils to use joint authorisation agreements against out-of-area drivers; Deregulation Act 2015 cross-border hiring still lawful where operator/vehicle/driver share the same licensing authority.

PHV licensing in Birmingham (Birmingham City Council)

Authority: Birmingham City Council Legal framework: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 + Deregulation Act 2015 + DfT Best Practice Guidance (16 November 2023) Last verified: 19 April 2026

Summary

Birmingham is one of the few big English councils that publishes a clean fee grid. A 3-year private hire driver grant is £277, renewal £225, the verbal knowledge test is £75, a Group 2 medical is about £82 and an enhanced DBS is £93.50. You should still budget for English and safeguarding training on top, since those costs are not on the main fee page.

What it costs, in full

How it actually works

You apply, pay the enhanced DBS, pass a Group 2 medical, sit the verbal knowledge test, complete safeguarding and English modules where required, then wait for the council to process everything. Licences run 3 years unless you ask for shorter. Birmingham's driver page is clearer than most but still quiet on end-to-end processing time, so assume several weeks rather than days in 2025-26.

Cross-border rules

DfT 2023 best practice pushes councils to use joint authorisation agreements against out-of-area drivers. Deregulation Act 2015 cross-border hiring is still lawful where operator, vehicle and driver share the same licensing authority — which is why Wolverhampton plates turn up in Birmingham.

If they refuse or revoke

Appeal route is the magistrates' court within 21 days.

Related tools and guides

• PHV licensing cost checker
• Non-London PHV licensing UK 2026 (national hub)
• Uber private hire insurance UK
• Uber complete guide UK