Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Herefordshire?
322 vehicles in 2026 against 275 in 2024: taxis 198 → 208, private hire 77 → 114; 1.69 per 1,000 residents; 21% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 198 | 208 | up 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 77 | 114 | up 48% |
| Driver licences | 350 | 394 | up 13% |
| Operator licences | 41 | 50 | up 22% |
How does Herefordshire compare with other councils in the West Midlands?
Among councils in the West Midlands, Herefordshire ranks 20th of 30 for vehicles per head (1.69 per 1,000, median 1.96). It ranks 13th for operators (50, median 46).[1]
| Measure | Herefordshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.69 | 1.96 | 20th of 30 |
| Operator licences | 50 | 46 | 13th of 30 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 5 | 23rd of 30 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 21% | 79% | 21st of 30 |
What does the Herefordshire market look like for an operator?
Herefordshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 65% taxis, 35% private hire of 322 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (114 across 50 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (394 for 322).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Herefordshire differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Herefordshire'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]
- CCTV required in Herefordshire taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- Two tests for Herefordshire taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Herefordshire private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Herefordshire private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Herefordshire operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Herefordshire's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Herefordshire grant?
10 new, 7 renewed; 50 in force (41 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Herefordshire?
50 at 1 April 2026, 41 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] Herefordshire Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
