Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Dacorum?
284 vehicles in 2026 against 279 in 2024: taxis 170 → 161, private hire 109 → 123; 1.76 per 1,000 residents; 7% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 170 | 161 | down 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 109 | 123 | up 13% |
| Driver licences | 281 | 275 | down 2% |
| Operator licences | 39 | 47 | up 21% |
How does Dacorum compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Dacorum ranks 34th of 45 for vehicles per head (1.76 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 19th for operators (47, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Dacorum | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.76 | 2.48 | 34th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 47 | 40 | 19th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 5 | 33rd of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 7% | 21% | 28th of 44 |
What does the Dacorum market look like for an operator?
Dacorum's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 57% taxis, 43% private hire of 284 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (123 across 47 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (275 for 284).
- 31% dual-licensed drivers, 92 PHV-only, 98 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 Dacorum differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Dacorum'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]
- No knowledge test for Dacorum private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Dacorum applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No safeguarding course for Dacorum private hire drivers; almost all councils require one.
- Dacorum operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Dacorum operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Dacorum's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Dacorum grant?
6 new, 0 renewed; 47 in force (39 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Dacorum?
47 at 1 April 2026, 39 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] Dacorum Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
