Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Cambridge?
375 vehicles in 2026 against 371 in 2024: taxis 277 → 255, private hire 94 → 120; 2.51 per 1,000 residents; 38% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 277 | 255 | down 8% |
| Private hire vehicles | 94 | 120 | up 28% |
| Driver licences | 484 | 496 | up 2% |
| Operator licences | 25 | 18 | down 28% |
How does Cambridge compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Cambridge ranks 22nd of 45 for vehicles per head (2.51 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 41st for operators (18, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Cambridge | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.51 | 2.48 | 22nd of 45 |
| Operator licences | 18 | 40 | 41st of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 7 | 5 | 16th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 38% | 21% | 13th of 44 |
What does the Cambridge market look like for an operator?
Cambridge's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 68% taxis, 32% private hire of 375 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 7 PHVs per operator on average (120 across 18 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (496 for 375): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 99% dual-licensed drivers, 4 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 Cambridge differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Cambridge'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: Cambridge limits hackney carriage licences (255 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- CCTV required in Cambridge taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- No English test for Cambridge drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Cambridge operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Cambridge's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Cambridge grant?
3 new, 11 renewed; 18 in force (25 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Cambridge?
18 at 1 April 2026, 25 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] Cambridge City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
