Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Chesterfield?
774 vehicles in 2026 against 726 in 2024: taxis 113 → 92, private hire 613 → 682; 7.3 per 1,000 residents; 63% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 113 | 92 | down 19% |
| Private hire vehicles | 613 | 682 | up 11% |
| Driver licences | 803 | 868 | up 8% |
| Operator licences | 40 | 50 | up 25% |
How does Chesterfield compare with other councils in the East Midlands?
Among councils in the East Midlands, Chesterfield ranks 2nd of 35 for vehicles per head (7.3 per 1,000, median 1.94). It ranks 8th for operators (50, median 27).[1]
| Measure | Chesterfield | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 7.3 | 1.94 | 2nd of 35 |
| Operator licences | 50 | 27 | 8th of 34 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 14 | 4 | 3rd of 34 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 63% | 10% | 9th of 33 |
What does the Chesterfield market look like for an operator?
Chesterfield's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 12% taxis, 88% private hire of 774 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 14 PHVs per operator on average (682 across 50 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (868 for 774).
- 27% dual-licensed drivers, 509 PHV-only, 122 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Chesterfield differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Chesterfield's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Chesterfield limits hackney carriage licences (92 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No English test for Chesterfield drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Chesterfield operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Chesterfield taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Chesterfield private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Chesterfield asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Chesterfield's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Chesterfield grant?
12 new, 7 renewed, 1 revoked; 50 in force (40 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Chesterfield?
50 at 1 April 2026, 40 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] Chesterfield Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
