Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in East Suffolk?
565 vehicles in 2026 against 519 in 2024: taxis 63 → 48, private hire 456 → 517; 2.26 per 1,000 residents; 4% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 63 | 48 | down 24% |
| Private hire vehicles | 456 | 517 | up 13% |
| Driver licences | 581 | 673 | up 16% |
| Operator licences | 74 | 79 | up 7% |
How does East Suffolk compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, East Suffolk ranks 24th of 45 for vehicles per head (2.26 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 8th for operators (79, median 40).[1]
| Measure | East Suffolk | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.26 | 2.48 | 24th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 79 | 40 | 8th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 7 | 5 | 17th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 4% | 21% | 35th of 44 |
What does the East Suffolk market look like for an operator?
East Suffolk's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 8% taxis, 92% private hire of 565 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 7 PHVs per operator on average (517 across 79 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (673 for 565).
- 22% dual-licensed drivers, 522 PHV-only.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in East Suffolk differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in East Suffolk's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- No knowledge test for East Suffolk private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No age or emission limit for East Suffolk taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for East Suffolk private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: East Suffolk asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time booking is made and date booking is made.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by East Suffolk's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does East Suffolk grant?
9 new, 3 renewed; 79 in force (74 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in East Suffolk?
79 at 1 April 2026, 74 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 Suffolk District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
