Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Flintshire?
500 vehicles in 2026 against 409 in 2024: taxis 2 → 4, private hire 407 → 496; 3.21 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 2 | 4 | up 100% |
| Private hire vehicles | 407 | 496 | up 22% |
| Driver licences | 499 | 613 | up 23% |
| Operator licences | 52 | 57 | up 10% |
How does Flintshire compare with other councils in Wales?
Among councils in Wales, Flintshire ranks 7th of 22 for vehicles per head (3.21 per 1,000, median 2.78). It ranks 4th for operators (57, median 32).[1]
| Measure | Flintshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.21 | 2.78 | 7th of 22 |
| Operator licences | 57 | 32 | 4th of 22 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 9 | 5 | 4th of 22 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 8% | 1st of 22 |
What does the Flintshire market look like for an operator?
Flintshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 1% taxis, 99% private hire of 500 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 9 PHVs per operator on average (496 across 57 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (613 for 500).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 8 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Flintshire differ from other councils?
8 departures from the usual rules in Flintshire's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- No English test for Flintshire drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Flintshire drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No disability awareness course for Flintshire private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Flintshire operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Flintshire operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Flintshire taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Flintshire private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Flintshire asks operators to record 8 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time booking is made and name of booker and name of dispatchers and date booking is made.
How many operator licences does Flintshire grant?
6 new, 9 renewed; 57 in force (52 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Flintshire?
57 at 1 April 2026, 52 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] Flintshire County Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
