Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Gosport?
88 vehicles in 2026 against 121 in 2024: taxis 55 → 32, private hire 66 → 56; 1.06 per 1,000 residents; 34% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 55 | 32 | down 42% |
| Private hire vehicles | 66 | 56 | down 15% |
| Driver licences | 140 | 118 | down 16% |
| Operator licences | 18 | 17 | down 6% |
How does Gosport compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Gosport ranks 59th of 64 for vehicles per head (1.06 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 59th for operators (17, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Gosport | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.06 | 2.23 | 59th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 17 | 51 | 59th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 4 | 37th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 34% | 14% | 19th of 64 |
What does the Gosport market look like for an operator?
Gosport's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 36% taxis, 64% private hire of 88 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (56 across 17 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (118 for 88): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 26% dual-licensed drivers, 55 PHV-only, 32 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 Gosport differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Gosport's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- CCTV required in Gosport taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- No knowledge test for Gosport private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Gosport operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Gosport's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Gosport grant?
0 new, 13 renewed; 17 in force (18 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Gosport?
17 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] Gosport Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
