Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Bath and North East Somerset?
403 vehicles in 2026 against 409 in 2024: taxis 131 → 125, private hire 278 → 278; 2.01 per 1,000 residents; 8% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 131 | 125 | down 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 278 | 278 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Driver licences | 445 | 393 | down 12% |
| Operator licences | 80 | 83 | up 4% |
How does Bath and North East Somerset compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Bath and North East Somerset ranks 16th of 26 for vehicles per head (2.01 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 10th for operators (83, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Bath and North East Somerset | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.01 | 2.3 | 16th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 83 | 58 | 10th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 4 | 15th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 8% | 7% | 11th of 25 |
What does the Bath and North East Somerset market look like for an operator?
Bath and North East Somerset's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 31% taxis, 69% private hire of 403 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (278 across 83 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (393 for 403).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Bath and North East Somerset differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Bath and North East Somerset's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Partial taxi cap: Bath and North East Somerset limits licences for some areas; about 3 in 4 councils have no cap.
- Two tests for Bath and North East Somerset taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Bath and North East Somerset private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Bath and North East Somerset operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Bath and North East Somerset operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Bath and North East Somerset asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Bath and North East Somerset's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Bath and North East Somerset grant?
20 new, 4 renewed; 83 in force (80 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Bath and North East Somerset?
83 at 1 April 2026, 80 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] Bath and North East Somerset Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
