Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Burnley?
152 vehicles in 2026 against 275 in 2024: taxis 22 → 16, private hire 253 → 136; 1.53 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 22 | 16 | down 27% |
| Private hire vehicles | 253 | 136 | down 46% |
| Driver licences | 484 | 255 | down 47% |
| Operator licences | 14 | 17 | up 21% |
How does Burnley compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Burnley ranks 32nd of 35 for vehicles per head (1.53 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 31st for operators (17, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Burnley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.53 | 3.73 | 32nd of 35 |
| Operator licences | 17 | 45 | 31st of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 8 | 9 | 20th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 3rd of 35 |
What does the Burnley market look like for an operator?
Burnley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 11% taxis, 89% private hire of 152 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 8 PHVs per operator on average (136 across 17 licences).
- 1.7 drivers per vehicle (255 for 152): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 2% dual-licensed drivers, 235 PHV-only, 14 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 Burnley differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Burnley's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Two tests for Burnley taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Burnley private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Burnley applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Burnley operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Burnley asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Burnley's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Burnley grant?
1 new, 16 renewed; 17 in force (14 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Burnley?
17 at 1 April 2026, 14 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] Burnley Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
