Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Cheshire East?
531 vehicles in 2026 against 610 in 2024: taxis 383 → 316, private hire 227 → 215; 1.26 per 1,000 residents; 18% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 383 | 316 | down 17% |
| Private hire vehicles | 227 | 215 | down 5% |
| Driver licences | 745 | 643 | down 14% |
| Operator licences | 133 | 111 | down 17% |
How does Cheshire East compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Cheshire East ranks 34th of 35 for vehicles per head (1.26 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 5th for operators (111, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Cheshire East | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.26 | 3.73 | 34th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 111 | 45 | 5th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 9 | 33rd of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 18% | 32% | 24th of 35 |
What does the Cheshire East market look like for an operator?
Cheshire East's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 60% taxis, 40% private hire of 531 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (215 across 111 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (643 for 531).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Cheshire East differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Cheshire East's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis face both an age limit and an emission standard and private hire vehicles an age limit, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Cheshire East taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Cheshire East private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Cheshire East drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Cheshire East operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Cheshire East operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Cheshire East's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Cheshire East grant?
10 new, 32 renewed, 2 revoked; 111 in force (133 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Cheshire East?
111 at 1 April 2026, 133 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] Cheshire East Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
