Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Conwy?
250 vehicles in 2026 against 255 in 2024: taxis 90 → 83, private hire 165 → 167; 2.18 per 1,000 residents; 23% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 90 | 83 | down 8% |
| Private hire vehicles | 165 | 167 | up 1% |
| Driver licences | 348 | 313 | down 10% |
| Operator licences | 48 | 49 | up 2% |
How does Conwy compare with other councils in Wales?
Among councils in Wales, Conwy ranks 16th of 22 for vehicles per head (2.18 per 1,000, median 2.78). It ranks 7th for operators (49, median 32).[1]
| Measure | Conwy | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.18 | 2.78 | 16th of 22 |
| Operator licences | 49 | 32 | 7th of 22 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 5 | 17th of 22 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 23% | 8% | 6th of 22 |
What does the Conwy market look like for an operator?
Conwy's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 33% taxis, 67% private hire of 250 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (167 across 49 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (313 for 250): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 47% dual-licensed drivers, 166 PHV-only.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Conwy differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Conwy'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]
- Two tests for Conwy taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for Conwy private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Conwy private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Conwy operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Conwy operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Conwy asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
How many operator licences does Conwy grant?
5 new, 1 renewed; 49 in force (48 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Conwy?
49 at 1 April 2026, 48 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] Conwy County Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
