Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Cornwall?
1,637 vehicles in 2026 against 1,280 in 2024: taxis 785 → 1,077, private hire 495 → 560; 2.81 per 1,000 residents; 14% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 785 | 1,077 | up 37% |
| Private hire vehicles | 495 | 560 | up 13% |
| Driver licences | 1,606 | 1,728 | up 8% |
| Operator licences | 185 | 154 | down 17% |
How does Cornwall compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Cornwall ranks 10th of 26 for vehicles per head (2.81 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 5th for operators (154, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Cornwall | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.81 | 2.3 | 10th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 154 | 58 | 5th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 4 | 12th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 14% | 7% | 9th of 25 |
What does the Cornwall market look like for an operator?
Cornwall's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 66% taxis, 34% private hire of 1,637 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (560 across 154 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (1,728 for 1,637).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Cornwall differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Cornwall's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Cornwall taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Cornwall private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Cornwall private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Cornwall taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Cornwall private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Cornwall's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Cornwall grant?
25 new, 15 renewed, 2 suspended, 2 revoked; 154 in force (185 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Cornwall?
154 at 1 April 2026, 185 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] Cornwall Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
