Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in East Lindsey?
345 vehicles in 2026 against 392 in 2024: taxis 130 → 134, private hire 262 → 211; 2.38 per 1,000 residents; 29% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 130 | 134 | up 3% |
| Private hire vehicles | 262 | 211 | down 19% |
| Driver licences | 456 | 419 | down 8% |
| Operator licences | 49 | 51 | up 4% |
How does East Lindsey compare with other councils in the East Midlands?
Among councils in the East Midlands, East Lindsey ranks 13th of 35 for vehicles per head (2.38 per 1,000, median 1.94). It ranks 7th for operators (51, median 27).[1]
| Measure | East Lindsey | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.38 | 1.94 | 13th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 51 | 27 | 7th of 34 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 4 | 19th of 34 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 29% | 10% | 13th of 33 |
What does the East Lindsey market look like for an operator?
East Lindsey's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 39% taxis, 61% private hire of 345 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (211 across 51 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (419 for 345).
- 67% dual-licensed drivers, 137 PHV-only.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 9 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in East Lindsey differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in East Lindsey's DfT return.[1]
- East Lindsey taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for East Lindsey private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for East Lindsey private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for East Lindsey taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for East Lindsey private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: East Lindsey asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time booking is made and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by East Lindsey's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does East Lindsey grant?
9 new, 10 renewed; 51 in force (49 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in East Lindsey?
51 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] East Lindsey District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
