Key facts
- Licensing authority
- Ashford Borough Council
- Vehicles, 1 April 2026
- 96 taxis (14 wheelchair accessible), 233 private hire[1]
- Licences held
- 427 drivers, 107 operators[1]
- Per 1,000 residents
- 2.33 vehicles (England: 5.84)[1]
- Private hire or joint driver licence: 1 year / 3 years (3 years for new drivers only)
- £103 / £214[3]
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Ashford?
329 vehicles in 2026 against 271 in 2024: taxis 102 → 96, private hire 169 → 233; 2.33 per 1,000 residents; 15% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 102 | 96 | down 6% |
| Private hire vehicles | 169 | 233 | up 38% |
| Driver licences | 353 | 427 | up 21% |
| Operator licences | 92 | 107 | up 16% |
How does Ashford compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Ashford ranks 29th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.33 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 10th for operators (107, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Ashford | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.33 | 2.23 | 29th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 107 | 51 | 10th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 51st of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 15% | 14% | 32nd of 64 |
What does the Ashford market look like for an operator?
Ashford's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 29% taxis, 71% private hire of 329 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (233 across 107 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (427 for 329): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 29% dual-licensed drivers, 305 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Ashford differ from other councils?
2 departures from the usual rules in Ashford's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- No knowledge test for Ashford private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Ashford's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Ashford grant?
18 new, 6 renewed, 68 refused; 107 in force (92 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Ashford?
From Ashford Borough Council's own fee page, read 08/11/2026. Fees are reviewed each year, usually from April, so check the page before you apply.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Private hire or joint driver licence: 1 year / 3 years (3 years for new drivers only) | £103 / £214 |
| Enhanced DBS check (payable to uCheck) | £67.70 |
| Hackney carriage knowledge test and re-test | £79 |
| Vehicle licence including plate, 1 year: new / renewal | £346 / £305 |
| Vehicle inspection (paid to Ashford MOT Centre) | £35 |
| Transfer of vehicle licence | £51.00 |
| Private hire operator, 5 years: up to 3 / 10 / 20 vehicles | £225 / £660 / £1,250 |
Ashford Borough Council: Taxi licence fees, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Ashford driver licence?
Private hire or joint driver licence: 1 year / 3 years (3 years for new drivers only): £103 / £214, according to Ashford Borough Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Ashford?
107 at 1 April 2026, 92 at 1 April 2024 (DfT).
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] DfT taxi and private hire vehicle statistics 2026, tables TAXI0104-TAXI0112 (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] Ashford Borough Council: Taxi licence fees (read 8 Nov 2026)
