Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Braintree?
728 vehicles in 2026 against 952 in 2024: taxis 84 → 91, private hire 868 → 637; 4.43 per 1,000 residents; 26% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 84 | 91 | up 8% |
| Private hire vehicles | 868 | 637 | down 27% |
| Driver licences | 1,138 | 1,035 | down 9% |
| Operator licences | 46 | 57 | up 24% |
How does Braintree compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Braintree ranks 11th of 45 for vehicles per head (4.43 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 11th for operators (57, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Braintree | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.43 | 2.48 | 11th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 57 | 40 | 11th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 11 | 5 | 9th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 26% | 21% | 19th of 44 |
What does the Braintree market look like for an operator?
Braintree's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 13% taxis, 87% private hire of 728 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 11 PHVs per operator on average (637 across 57 licences).
- 1.4 drivers per vehicle (1,035 for 728): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 27% dual-licensed drivers, 753 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 9 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Braintree differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Braintree's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Braintree limits hackney carriage licences (91 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Braintree operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Braintree operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Braintree asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out driver licence number and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Braintree's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Braintree grant?
13 new, 7 renewed; 57 in force (46 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Braintree?
57 at 1 April 2026, 46 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] Braintree District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
