Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Horsham?
145 vehicles in 2026 against 159 in 2024: taxis 47 → 46, private hire 112 → 99; 0.96 per 1,000 residents; 4% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 47 | 46 | down 2% |
| Private hire vehicles | 112 | 99 | down 12% |
| Driver licences | 188 | 174 | down 7% |
| Operator licences | 47 | 46 | down 2% |
How does Horsham compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Horsham ranks 62nd of 64 for vehicles per head (0.96 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 39th for operators (46, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Horsham | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 0.96 | 2.23 | 62nd of 64 |
| Operator licences | 46 | 51 | 39th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 60th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 4% | 14% | 54th of 64 |
What does the Horsham market look like for an operator?
Horsham's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 32% taxis, 68% private hire of 145 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (99 across 46 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (174 for 145).
- 14% dual-licensed drivers, 123 PHV-only, 27 taxi-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 Horsham differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Horsham's DfT return.[1]
- No disability awareness course for Horsham private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Horsham operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Horsham operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Horsham private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Horsham asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out date of pick-up and date booking is made.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Horsham's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Horsham grant?
1 new, 1 renewed; 46 in force (47 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Horsham?
46 at 1 April 2026, 47 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] Horsham District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
