Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Halton?
350 vehicles in 2026 against 440 in 2024: taxis 267 → 267, private hire 173 → 83; 2.66 per 1,000 residents; 15% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 267 | 267 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Private hire vehicles | 173 | 83 | down 52% |
| Driver licences | 524 | 429 | down 18% |
| Operator licences | 12 | 15 | up 25% |
How does Halton compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Halton ranks 27th of 35 for vehicles per head (2.66 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 34th for operators (15, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Halton | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.66 | 3.73 | 27th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 15 | 45 | 34th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 9 | 26th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 15% | 32% | 26th of 35 |
What does the Halton market look like for an operator?
Halton's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 76% taxis, 24% private hire of 350 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (83 across 15 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (429 for 350).
- 77% dual-licensed drivers, 97 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 Halton differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Halton's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Halton limits hackney carriage licences (267 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No safeguarding course for Halton private hire drivers; almost all councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for Halton private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Halton operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Halton operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Halton asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Halton's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Halton grant?
2 new, 3 renewed; 15 in force (12 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Halton?
15 at 1 April 2026, 12 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] Halton Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
