Key facts
- Licensing authority
- City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
- Vehicles, 1 April 2026
- 208 taxis (208 wheelchair accessible), 6,698 private hire[1]
- Licences held
- 10,074 drivers, 159 operators[1]
- Per 1,000 residents
- 12.25 vehicles (England: 5.84)[1]
- Driver licence, new or renewal: 1 year / 3 years
- £81 / £199[3]
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Bradford?
6,906 vehicles in 2026 against 5,179 in 2024: taxis 218 → 208, private hire 4,961 → 6,698; 12.25 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 218 | 208 | down 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 4,961 | 6,698 | up 35% |
| Driver licences | 7,145 | 10,074 | up 41% |
| Operator licences | 124 | 159 | up 28% |
How does Bradford compare with other councils in Yorkshire and the Humber?
Among councils in Yorkshire and the Humber, Bradford ranks 1st of 15 for vehicles per head (12.25 per 1,000, median 3.7). It ranks 3rd for operators (159, median 86).[1]
| Measure | Bradford | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 12.25 | 3.7 | 1st of 15 |
| Operator licences | 159 | 86 | 3rd of 15 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 42 | 10 | 2nd of 15 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 25% | 2nd of 15 |
What does the Bradford market look like for an operator?
Bradford's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 3% taxis, 97% private hire of 6,906 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 42 PHVs per operator on average (6,698 across 159 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (10,074 for 6,906): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 9,710 PHV-only, 297 taxi-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 Bradford differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Bradford'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]
- Taxi numbers capped: Bradford limits hackney carriage licences (208 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Bradford taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Bradford private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Bradford operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Bradford's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Bradford grant?
47 new, 103 renewed, 6 refused, 1 revoked; 159 in force (124 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Bradford?
From City of Bradford Metropolitan District 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 |
|---|---|
| Driver licence, new or renewal: 1 year / 3 years | £81 / £199 |
| Driver modular training (or re-take) | £56 |
| Operator licence, 1 vehicle only: 1 year / 5 years | £135 / £607 |
| Operator licence, more than 1 vehicle: 1 year / 5 years | £175 / £788 |
| Vehicle aged 0-5 years, new or renewal | £165 |
| Vehicle aged 6-15 years, new or renewal | £240 |
| Approval of commercial advertising | £75 |
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council: Driver and vehicle fees, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Bradford driver licence?
Driver licence, new or renewal: 1 year / 3 years: £81 / £199, according to City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Bradford?
159 at 1 April 2026, 124 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] City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council: Driver and vehicle fees (read 8 Nov 2026)
