Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Eastleigh?
579 vehicles in 2026 against 506 in 2024: taxis 102 → 98, private hire 404 → 481; 4.05 per 1,000 residents; 5% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 102 | 98 | down 4% |
| Private hire vehicles | 404 | 481 | up 19% |
| Driver licences | 568 | 667 | up 17% |
| Operator licences | 54 | 69 | up 28% |
How does Eastleigh compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Eastleigh ranks 18th of 64 for vehicles per head (4.05 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 19th for operators (69, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Eastleigh | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.05 | 2.23 | 18th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 69 | 51 | 19th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 7 | 4 | 18th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 5% | 14% | 50th of 64 |
What does the Eastleigh market look like for an operator?
Eastleigh's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 17% taxis, 83% private hire of 579 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 7 PHVs per operator on average (481 across 69 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (667 for 579).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 547 PHV-only, 82 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Eastleigh differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Eastleigh's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- No knowledge test for Eastleigh private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Eastleigh drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Eastleigh applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for Eastleigh private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Eastleigh asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Eastleigh's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Eastleigh grant?
8 new, 6 renewed; 69 in force (54 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Eastleigh?
69 at 1 April 2026, 54 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] Eastleigh Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
