Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Gwynedd?
345 vehicles in 2026 against 427 in 2024: taxis 363 → 283, private hire 64 → 62; 2.86 per 1,000 residents; 13% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 363 | 283 | down 22% |
| Private hire vehicles | 64 | 62 | down 3% |
| Driver licences | 458 | 407 | down 11% |
| Operator licences | 21 | 22 | up 5% |
How does Gwynedd compare with other councils in Wales?
Among councils in Wales, Gwynedd ranks 10th of 22 for vehicles per head (2.86 per 1,000, median 2.78). It ranks 16th for operators (22, median 32).[1]
| Measure | Gwynedd | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.86 | 2.78 | 10th of 22 |
| Operator licences | 22 | 32 | 16th of 22 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 5 | 16th of 22 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 13% | 8% | 8th of 22 |
What does the Gwynedd market look like for an operator?
Gwynedd's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 82% taxis, 18% private hire of 345 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (62 across 22 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (407 for 345).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 9 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Gwynedd differ from other councils?
8 departures from the usual rules in Gwynedd's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Gwynedd taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Gwynedd private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Gwynedd drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Gwynedd drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No disability awareness course for Gwynedd private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Gwynedd operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Gwynedd asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of driver and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Gwynedd's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Gwynedd grant?
2 new, 4 renewed; 22 in force (21 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Gwynedd?
22 at 1 April 2026, 21 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] Gwynedd Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
