Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Gloucester?
579 vehicles in 2026 against 283 in 2024: taxis 77 → 68, private hire 206 → 511; 4.18 per 1,000 residents; 6% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 77 | 68 | down 12% |
| Private hire vehicles | 206 | 511 | up 148% |
| Driver licences | 326 | 606 | up 86% |
| Operator licences | 39 | 59 | up 51% |
How does Gloucester compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Gloucester ranks 5th of 26 for vehicles per head (4.18 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 13th for operators (59, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Gloucester | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.18 | 2.3 | 5th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 59 | 58 | 13th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 9 | 4 | 5th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 6% | 7% | 14th of 25 |
What does the Gloucester market look like for an operator?
Gloucester's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 12% taxis, 88% private hire of 579 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 9 PHVs per operator on average (511 across 59 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (606 for 579).
- 12% dual-licensed drivers, 534 PHV-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 Gloucester differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Gloucester's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Two tests for Gloucester taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Gloucester operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Gloucester asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Gloucester's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Gloucester grant?
20 new, 30 renewed; 59 in force (39 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Gloucester?
59 at 1 April 2026, 39 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] Gloucester City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
