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 Manchester (Manchester City Council)

Authority: Manchester City Council Legal framework: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 + Deregulation Act 2015 Last verified: 19 April 2026

Summary

Manchester publishes a 3-year combined taxi / PHV driver fee of £255 new and £254 renewal, plus knowledge test £74, skills assessment £42 and a £38 right-to-work appointment. DBS, medical, safeguarding and English costs are not on the driver fee page, so budget extra and shop around.

What it costs, in full

How it works

You apply, book a knowledge test and skills assessment, attend an ID / right-to-work appointment, do DBS, medical and any safeguarding / English training, then wait. Minimum council-facing cash spend in year 1 is £409 before DBS and medical.

Cross-border notes

Manchester councillors have publicly complained about Wolverhampton-plated drivers. Cross-border hiring is still lawful under the Deregulation Act 2015 where all three elements (operator, vehicle, driver) sit with the same authority.

If they refuse or revoke

Appeal route is the magistrates' court within 21 days.