Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Bedford?
563 vehicles in 2026 against 621 in 2024: taxis 65 → 65, private hire 556 → 498; 2.89 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 65 | 65 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Private hire vehicles | 556 | 498 | down 10% |
| Driver licences | 754 | 754 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Operator licences | 41 | 45 | up 10% |
How does Bedford compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Bedford ranks 18th of 45 for vehicles per head (2.89 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 20th for operators (45, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Bedford | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.89 | 2.48 | 18th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 45 | 40 | 20th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 11 | 5 | 8th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 21% | 3rd of 44 |
What does the Bedford market look like for an operator?
Bedford's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 12% taxis, 88% private hire of 563 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 11 PHVs per operator on average (498 across 45 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (754 for 563): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 18% dual-licensed drivers, 589 PHV-only, 28 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Bedford differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Bedford's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Bedford limits hackney carriage licences (65 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Bedford taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Bedford private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Bedford applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Bedford operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Bedford asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time booking is made.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Bedford's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Bedford grant?
5 new, 9 renewed, 1 revoked; 45 in force (41 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Bedford?
From Bedford 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 |
|---|---|
| New private hire or hackney carriage driver licence, 3 years | £419 |
| Driver licence renewal, 3 years | £382 |
| Upgrade single driver licence to dual | £50.30 |
| Driver suitability assessment, initial test | £48.60 |
| Private hire vehicle licence (12 months or less) | £298 |
| Hackney carriage vehicle licence (12 months or less) | £298 |
| Vehicle retest after a fail | £86.15 |
| Transfer of proprietorship of a licensed vehicle | £48.60 |
Bedford Borough Council: Licensing fees online payment, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Bedford driver licence?
New private hire or hackney carriage driver licence, 3 years: £419, according to Bedford Borough Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Bedford?
45 at 1 April 2026, 41 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] Bedford Borough Council: Licensing fees online payment (read 8 Nov 2026)
