Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Chichester?
612 vehicles in 2026 against 476 in 2024: taxis 28 → 19, private hire 448 → 593; 4.75 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 28 | 19 | down 32% |
| Private hire vehicles | 448 | 593 | up 32% |
| Driver licences | 600 | 731 | up 22% |
| Operator licences | 51 | 62 | up 22% |
How does Chichester compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Chichester ranks 13th of 64 for vehicles per head (4.75 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 26th for operators (62, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Chichester | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.75 | 2.23 | 13th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 62 | 51 | 26th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 10 | 4 | 9th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 14% | 10th of 64 |
What does the Chichester market look like for an operator?
Chichester's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 3% taxis, 97% private hire of 612 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 10 PHVs per operator on average (593 across 62 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (731 for 612).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 694 PHV-only, 7 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Chichester differ from other councils?
2 departures from the usual rules in Chichester's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- No English test for Chichester drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Chichester's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Chichester grant?
8 new, 2 renewed; 62 in force (51 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Chichester?
62 at 1 April 2026, 51 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] Chichester District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
