Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Dorset?
1,733 vehicles in 2026 against 1,488 in 2024: taxis 544 → 453, private hire 944 → 1,280; 4.44 per 1,000 residents; 7% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 544 | 453 | down 17% |
| Private hire vehicles | 944 | 1,280 | up 36% |
| Driver licences | 1,297 | 2,206 | up 70% |
| Operator licences | 114 | 192 | up 68% |
How does Dorset compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Dorset ranks 4th of 26 for vehicles per head (4.44 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 3rd for operators (192, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Dorset | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.44 | 2.3 | 4th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 192 | 58 | 3rd of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 7 | 4 | 7th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 7% | 7% | 13th of 25 |
What does the Dorset market look like for an operator?
Dorset's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 26% taxis, 74% private hire of 1,733 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 7 PHVs per operator on average (1,280 across 192 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (2,206 for 1,733): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 42% dual-licensed drivers, 1,046 PHV-only, 219 taxi-only.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Dorset differ from other councils?
9 departures from the usual rules in Dorset's DfT return.[1]
- Partial taxi cap: Dorset limits licences for some areas; about 3 in 4 councils have no cap.
- Dorset taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Dorset private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Dorset drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No disability awareness course for Dorset private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Dorset operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Dorset taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Dorset private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Dorset's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Dorset grant?
33 new, 24 renewed; 192 in force (114 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Dorset?
192 at 1 April 2026, 114 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] Dorset Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
