Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Epping Forest?
242 vehicles in 2026 against 253 in 2024: taxis 213 → 203, private hire 40 → 39; 1.76 per 1,000 residents; 0% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 213 | 203 | down 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 40 | 39 | down 2% |
| Driver licences | 297 | 303 | up 2% |
| Operator licences | 18 | 16 | down 11% |
How does Epping Forest compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Epping Forest ranks 33rd of 45 for vehicles per head (1.76 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 43rd for operators (16, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Epping Forest | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.76 | 2.48 | 33rd of 45 |
| Operator licences | 16 | 40 | 43rd of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 5 | 39th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 0% | 21% | 44th of 44 |
What does the Epping Forest market look like for an operator?
Epping Forest's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 84% taxis, 16% private hire of 242 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (39 across 16 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (303 for 242): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 45 PHV-only, 258 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Epping Forest differ from other councils?
8 departures from the usual rules in Epping Forest's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- CCTV banned in Epping Forest private hire vehicles, like only a handful of councils.
- No English test for Epping Forest drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Epping Forest drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- Epping Forest operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Epping Forest operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Epping Forest taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Epping Forest private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Epping Forest's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Epping Forest grant?
1 new, 2 renewed; 16 in force (18 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Epping Forest?
16 at 1 April 2026, 18 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] Epping Forest District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
