Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Harborough?
95 vehicles in 2026 against 96 in 2024: taxis 80 → 73, private hire 16 → 22; 0.91 per 1,000 residents; 3% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 80 | 73 | down 9% |
| Private hire vehicles | 16 | 22 | up 38% |
| Driver licences | 97 | 92 | down 5% |
| Operator licences | 13 | n/a | n/a |
How does Harborough compare with other councils in the East Midlands?
Among councils in the East Midlands, Harborough ranks 31st of 35 for vehicles per head (0.91 per 1,000, median 1.94).[1]
| Measure | Harborough | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 0.91 | 1.94 | 31st of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 3% | 10% | 21st of 33 |
What does the Harborough market look like for an operator?
Harborough's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 77% taxis, 23% private hire of 95 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 1 drivers per vehicle (92 for 95).
- 92% dual-licensed drivers, 7 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 6 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Harborough differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Harborough's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- No English test for Harborough drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Harborough private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Harborough operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Harborough's own account to the DfT.
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Harborough?
n/a at 1 April 2026, 13 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] Harborough District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
