Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Havant?
427 vehicles in 2026 against 492 in 2024: taxis 34 → 33, private hire 458 → 394; 3.36 per 1,000 residents; 12% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 34 | 33 | down 3% |
| Private hire vehicles | 458 | 394 | down 14% |
| Driver licences | 526 | 441 | down 16% |
| Operator licences | 67 | 63 | down 6% |
How does Havant compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Havant ranks 23rd of 64 for vehicles per head (3.36 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 25th for operators (63, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Havant | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.36 | 2.23 | 23rd of 64 |
| Operator licences | 63 | 51 | 25th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 4 | 20th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 12% | 14% | 35th of 64 |
What does the Havant market look like for an operator?
Havant's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 8% taxis, 92% private hire of 427 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (394 across 63 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (441 for 427).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Havant differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Havant's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Havant limits hackney carriage licences (33 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Havant taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Havant private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Havant applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for Havant private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Havant's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Havant grant?
8 new, 9 renewed; 63 in force (67 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Havant?
63 at 1 April 2026, 67 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] Havant Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
