Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Cardiff?
2,124 vehicles in 2026 against 2,008 in 2024: taxis 689 → 536, private hire 1,319 → 1,588; 5.53 per 1,000 residents; 32% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 689 | 536 | down 22% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,319 | 1,588 | up 20% |
| Driver licences | 2,244 | 2,379 | up 6% |
| Operator licences | 147 | 176 | up 20% |
How does Cardiff compare with other councils in Wales?
Among councils in Wales, Cardiff ranks 2nd of 22 for vehicles per head (5.53 per 1,000, median 2.78). It ranks 1st for operators (176, median 32).[1]
| Measure | Cardiff | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 5.53 | 2.78 | 2nd of 22 |
| Operator licences | 176 | 32 | 1st of 22 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 9 | 5 | 5th of 22 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 32% | 8% | 5th of 22 |
What does the Cardiff market look like for an operator?
Cardiff's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 25% taxis, 75% private hire of 2,124 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 9 PHVs per operator on average (1,588 across 176 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (2,379 for 2,124).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Cardiff differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Cardiff's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- No English test for Cardiff drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Cardiff drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No good-character certificate from Cardiff applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- Cardiff operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Cardiff operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Cardiff asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker.
How many operator licences does Cardiff grant?
49 new, 68 renewed; 176 in force (147 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Cardiff?
176 at 1 April 2026, 147 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] City of Cardiff Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
