Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Cherwell?
480 vehicles in 2026 against 488 in 2024: taxis 125 → 125, private hire 363 → 355; 2.82 per 1,000 residents; 82% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 125 | 125 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Private hire vehicles | 363 | 355 | down 2% |
| Driver licences | 504 | 504 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Operator licences | 101 | 101 | about the same as in 2024 |
How does Cherwell compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Cherwell ranks 26th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.82 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 11th for operators (101, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Cherwell | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.82 | 2.23 | 26th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 101 | 51 | 11th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 4 | 31st of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 82% | 14% | 11th of 64 |
What does the Cherwell market look like for an operator?
Cherwell's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 26% taxis, 74% private hire of 480 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (355 across 101 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (504 for 480).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Cherwell differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Cherwell'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]
- Cherwell taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Cherwell private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Cherwell operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Cherwell asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Cherwell's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Cherwell grant?
9 new, 7 renewed, 1 refused; 101 in force (101 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Cherwell?
101 at 1 April 2026, 101 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] Cherwell District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
