Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Bristol?
1,085 vehicles in 2026 against 1,094 in 2024: taxis 336 → 307, private hire 758 → 778; 2.19 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 336 | 307 | down 9% |
| Private hire vehicles | 758 | 778 | up 3% |
| Driver licences | 1,254 | 1,148 | down 8% |
| Operator licences | 20 | 62 | up 210% |
How does Bristol compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Bristol ranks 14th of 26 for vehicles per head (2.19 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 12th for operators (62, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Bristol | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.19 | 2.3 | 14th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 62 | 58 | 12th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 13 | 4 | 3rd of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 7% | 1st of 25 |
What does the Bristol market look like for an operator?
Bristol's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 28% taxis, 72% private hire of 1,085 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 13 PHVs per operator on average (778 across 62 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (1,148 for 1,085).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 700 PHV-only, 251 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 Bristol differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Bristol's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Bristol limits hackney carriage licences (307 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No disability awareness course for Bristol private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Bristol operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Bristol operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Bristol asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of driver.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Bristol's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Bristol grant?
21 new, 17 renewed; 62 in force (20 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Bristol?
62 at 1 April 2026, 20 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] Bristol City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
