Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Brighton and Hove?
940 vehicles in 2026 against 974 in 2024: taxis 600 → 568, private hire 374 → 372; 3.31 per 1,000 residents; 41% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 600 | 568 | down 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 374 | 372 | down 1% |
| Driver licences | 1,102 | 1,051 | down 5% |
| Operator licences | 54 | 53 | down 2% |
How does Brighton and Hove compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Brighton and Hove ranks 24th of 64 for vehicles per head (3.31 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 30th for operators (53, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Brighton and Hove | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.31 | 2.23 | 24th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 53 | 51 | 30th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 7 | 4 | 17th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 41% | 14% | 17th of 64 |
What does the Brighton and Hove market look like for an operator?
Brighton and Hove's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 60% taxis, 40% private hire of 940 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 7 PHVs per operator on average (372 across 53 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (1,051 for 940).
- 86% dual-licensed drivers, 145 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 Brighton and Hove differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Brighton and Hove's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Brighton and Hove limits hackney carriage licences (568 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- CCTV required in Brighton and Hove taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Brighton and Hove's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Brighton and Hove grant?
8 new, 4 renewed; 53 in force (54 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Brighton and Hove?
53 at 1 April 2026, 54 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] Brighton and Hove City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
