Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Hart?
193 vehicles in 2026 against 355 in 2024: taxis 275 → 121, private hire 80 → 72; 1.87 per 1,000 residents; 1% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 275 | 121 | down 56% |
| Private hire vehicles | 80 | 72 | down 10% |
| Driver licences | 340 | 196 | down 42% |
| Operator licences | 31 | 38 | up 23% |
How does Hart compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Hart ranks 38th of 64 for vehicles per head (1.87 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 45th for operators (38, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Hart | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.87 | 2.23 | 38th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 38 | 51 | 45th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 50th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 1% | 14% | 60th of 64 |
What does the Hart market look like for an operator?
Hart's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 63% taxis, 37% private hire of 193 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (72 across 38 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (196 for 193).
- 73% dual-licensed drivers, 53 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 Hart differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Hart'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]
- Hart taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Hart private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Hart's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Hart grant?
7 new, 1 renewed; 38 in force (31 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Hart?
38 at 1 April 2026, 31 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] Hart District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
