Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Dudley?
1,254 vehicles in 2026 against 1,140 in 2024: taxis 146 → 115, private hire 994 → 1,139; 3.78 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 146 | 115 | down 21% |
| Private hire vehicles | 994 | 1,139 | up 15% |
| Driver licences | 1,264 | 1,333 | up 5% |
| Operator licences | 49 | 59 | up 20% |
How does Dudley compare with other councils in the West Midlands?
Among councils in the West Midlands, Dudley ranks 7th of 30 for vehicles per head (3.78 per 1,000, median 1.96). It ranks 10th for operators (59, median 46).[1]
| Measure | Dudley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.78 | 1.96 | 7th of 30 |
| Operator licences | 59 | 46 | 10th of 30 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 19 | 5 | 5th of 30 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 79% | 9th of 30 |
What does the Dudley market look like for an operator?
Dudley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 9% taxis, 91% private hire of 1,254 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 19 PHVs per operator on average (1,139 across 59 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (1,333 for 1,254).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 987 PHV-only, 56 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Dudley differ from other councils?
8 departures from the usual rules in Dudley's DfT return.[1]
- No knowledge test for Dudley private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Dudley drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- Dudley operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Dudley operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Dudley taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Dudley private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Dudley asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out vehicle registration number.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Dudley's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Dudley grant?
9 new, 39 renewed; 59 in force (49 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Dudley?
59 at 1 April 2026, 49 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] Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
