Licensing and permits

Vehicle specifications and approved testing stations

Approved MOT testing stations

Guidance for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Liverpool City Council’s Designated Vehicle List shows all licensed vehicles which are able to carry a designated reference wheelchair — the dimensions of which are set by the DfT.

  • All drivers of designated list vehicles are required to do a dynamic risk assessment to ensure the customers and driver combined do not exceed the maximum ramp facility for that vehicle.
  • The Hackney Carriage meter must not be engaged prior to the passenger being secured correctly into the vehicle, likewise the hackney carriage meter must be put on stopped prior to the safe removal of the passenger from the vehicle.
  • Private hire vehicles, drivers and operators are not allowed to charge more for the carriage of a wheelchair using passenger than they would for carrying an ambulant or able-bodied passenger.
  • If you are not capable of assisting wheelchair-using passengers to enter and alight then you must download the exemption application and take it to your GP’s Surgery. Any cost associated with the application is your responsibility.

Visit our page with advice for disabled taxi passengers for a list of taxis licensed to carry wheelchairs in Liverpool.

How to load wheelchairs

The following links are to videos that show how to load manual and electric wheelchairs.

What vehicle should I buy?

If you are considering buying a new vehicle to use as a Hackney cab, please be aware that we only licence the following vehicles once they have been given European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA). We also accept the Great Britain Whole Vehicle Type Approval (GB WVTA).

  • LEVC E-city
  • Nissan Dynamo Taxi
  • Tx4
  • Voyager MPV Renault NX8 (short or long wheelbase)
  • Allied vehicles Mercedes M8 (short or long wheelbase)
  • Penso Mercedes Vito Taxi (short or long wheelbase)
  • Ford Tourneo Pro-cab (short or long wheelbase)
  • Ford Tourneo FX8 (short or long wheelbase)
  • Peugeot E7 (short or long wheelbase)

For further information, please read our detailed vehicle specifications below.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and Criteria

These specifications are unique to Liverpool and will differ to those published by other authorities. For further help and advice please contact us.