Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Central Bedfordshire?
606 vehicles in 2026 against 662 in 2024: taxis 156 → 126, private hire 506 → 480; 1.92 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 156 | 126 | down 19% |
| Private hire vehicles | 506 | 480 | down 5% |
| Driver licences | 809 | 817 | up 1% |
| Operator licences | 59 | 60 | up 2% |
How does Central Bedfordshire compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Central Bedfordshire ranks 30th of 45 for vehicles per head (1.92 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 10th for operators (60, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Central Bedfordshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.92 | 2.48 | 30th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 60 | 40 | 10th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 8 | 5 | 12th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 21% | 4th of 44 |
What does the Central Bedfordshire market look like for an operator?
Central Bedfordshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 21% taxis, 79% private hire of 606 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 8 PHVs per operator on average (480 across 60 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (817 for 606): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 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 Central Bedfordshire differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Central Bedfordshire's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Central Bedfordshire taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Central Bedfordshire private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Central Bedfordshire private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Central Bedfordshire operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Central Bedfordshire asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out vehicle registration number.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Central Bedfordshire's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Central Bedfordshire grant?
6 new, 21 renewed; 60 in force (59 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Central Bedfordshire?
60 at 1 April 2026, 59 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] Central Bedfordshire Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
