Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Lancaster?
353 vehicles in 2026 against 323 in 2024: taxis 108 → 110, private hire 215 → 243; 2.43 per 1,000 residents; 14% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 108 | 110 | up 2% |
| Private hire vehicles | 215 | 243 | up 13% |
| Driver licences | 439 | 489 | up 11% |
| Operator licences | 44 | 53 | up 20% |
How does Lancaster compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Lancaster ranks 28th of 35 for vehicles per head (2.43 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 16th for operators (53, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Lancaster | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.43 | 3.73 | 28th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 53 | 45 | 16th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 5 | 9 | 30th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 14% | 32% | 27th of 35 |
What does the Lancaster market look like for an operator?
Lancaster's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 31% taxis, 69% private hire of 353 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 5 PHVs per operator on average (243 across 53 licences).
- 1.4 drivers per vehicle (489 for 353): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 90% dual-licensed drivers, 29 PHV-only, 20 taxi-only.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Lancaster differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Lancaster's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Lancaster limits hackney carriage licences (110 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Lancaster taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Lancaster private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Lancaster operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Lancaster's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Lancaster grant?
7 new, 13 renewed; 53 in force (44 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Lancaster?
53 at 1 April 2026, 44 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] Lancaster City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
