Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Guildford?
427 vehicles in 2026 against 382 in 2024: taxis 164 → 170, private hire 218 → 257; 2.82 per 1,000 residents; 6% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 164 | 170 | up 4% |
| Private hire vehicles | 218 | 257 | up 18% |
| Driver licences | 616 | 712 | up 16% |
| Operator licences | 54 | 68 | up 26% |
How does Guildford compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Guildford ranks 27th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.82 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 20th for operators (68, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Guildford | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.82 | 2.23 | 27th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 68 | 51 | 20th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 4 | 33rd of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 6% | 14% | 49th of 64 |
What does the Guildford market look like for an operator?
Guildford's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 40% taxis, 60% private hire of 427 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (257 across 68 licences).
- 1.7 drivers per vehicle (712 for 427): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 79% dual-licensed drivers, 151 PHV-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 Guildford differ from other councils?
2 departures from the usual rules in Guildford's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- CCTV required in Guildford taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Guildford's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Guildford grant?
11 new, 1 renewed; 68 in force (54 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Guildford?
From Guildford Borough Council's own fee page, read 08/11/2026. Fees are reviewed each year, usually from April, so check the page before you apply.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Hackney carriage and private hire driver's licence (new or renew) | £413.34 |
| Knowledge test: hackney carriage / private hire | £49.63 / £27.62 |
| Hackney carriage vehicle (new or renew) | £298.38 |
| Private hire vehicle (new or renew) | £292.05 |
| Vehicle test | £58.00 |
| Temporary vehicle, 3 months: hackney / private hire | £124.30 / £122.72 |
| Private hire operator's licence (new or renew) | £2,473.87 |
Guildford Borough Council: Taxi licensing fees 2026/2027, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Guildford driver licence?
Hackney carriage and private hire driver's licence (new or renew): £413.34, according to Guildford Borough Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Guildford?
68 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] Guildford Borough Council: Taxi licensing fees 2026/2027 (read 8 Nov 2026)
