DiDi Mobility UK has secured a private hire operator licence from Bury Council, adding another Greater Manchester licensing authority to the ride-hailing company’s growing UK regulatory footprint.
Bury Council’s live private hire operator register lists DiDi Mobility UK Ltd under licence number PO0120.
The licence was issued on 6 August 2026 and is due to commence on 4 September 2026. It currently runs until 3 September 2027.
The development is significant because holding a private hire operator licence is a regulatory requirement for an operator accepting private hire bookings within the licensing framework.
However, the licence should not be treated as confirmation that DiDi will launch its passenger app in Bury on 4 September.
DM News has found no announcement from DiDi confirming a Bury launch date, fares, driver recruitment programme or the geographical area any future service would cover.
The council register confirms the licensing position only.
DiDi has nevertheless been building a noticeable licensing presence across parts of northern England.
Sheffield City Council’s current operator register lists DiDi Mobility UK Limited under operator licence OP014. That licence was issued on 30 April 2026 and commenced on 1 May.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council also lists DiDi Mobility UK Ltd as a licensed private hire operator, with its licence issued on 22 April and commencing on 2 May 2026.
The Bury register is particularly noteworthy because other major ride-hailing businesses are already represented. Bolt Services UK Limited and Bolt Operation UK Limited both appear among the authority’s licensed private hire operators.
DiDi previously explored a UK launch several years ago before those plans were suspended. Its appearance on multiple current council licensing registers therefore makes its renewed UK regulatory activity worth watching closely.
For drivers and passengers, the next important development will be whether DiDi follows its licensing activity with a confirmed commercial launch in Greater Manchester or elsewhere in the UK.
Until DiDi makes such an announcement, the safest conclusion is simply that the company has obtained the regulatory permission represented by these operator licences – not that a launch date has been confirmed.
For taxi and private hire operators looking to modernise their own booking and dispatch operation, DM Taxi Assistant provides affordable booking and dispatch software designed specifically for the taxi and private hire industry.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you’d like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I love to hear from you. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
Sources
Bury Council – Private Hire Operator Register
Sheffield City Council – Private Hire Operator Register
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council – DiDi Mobility UK Operator Licence
