Knowsley Council taxi licensing is facing fresh criticism after another private hire driver contacted DM News over ongoing delays that could force him off the road for months.
The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, says his private hire vehicle plate expires at the end of January, but the next available suitability test appointment isn’t until early March. This means that despite having a fully compliant vehicle, he will be unable to legally work during that period.
What makes the situation particularly frustrating, according to the driver, is that Knowsley has previously struggled with processing backlogs and appointment delays. As a result, the council now allows private hire drivers to obtain their MOT at any approved Knowsley MOT testing station, rather than requiring it to be carried out directly by the council.
However, the suitability test still has to be completed through Knowsley Council, creating a bottleneck in the renewal process.
The driver told DM News that his vehicle:
- Has a valid MOT
- Is fully roadworthy and compliant
- Meets all private hire requirements
Yet he will still be forced off the road because the suitability test cannot be completed in time.
According to the driver, the suitability test itself focuses on checks such as:
- The private hire plate being correctly fitted
- Correct stickers and signage
- Use of magnets and identifiers
Despite these being relatively straightforward checks, the lack of appointment availability means drivers risk losing weeks or even months of income.
The driver contacted DM News not only to highlight his own situation, but also to warn other Knowsley private hire drivers not to leave renewals until the last minute, as delays appear to be ongoing.
DM News Commentary
This is another example of how administrative delays can have very real financial consequences for working drivers. When a vehicle is roadworthy, MOT’d, insured and compliant, being taken off the road purely due to appointment shortages feels hard to justify.
Knowsley’s move to allow MOTs at approved stations was clearly designed to ease pressure, but by keeping suitability tests in-house with limited availability, the problem hasn’t been fully resolved.
For private hire drivers, time off the road doesn’t just mean inconvenience — it means lost earnings, missed bookings, and financial strain, especially during already challenging times.
The warning from this driver is clear: don’t assume the system will move quickly. Apply early, chase appointments, and factor delays into renewal planning until the licensing process becomes more reliable.
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