Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Malvern Hills?
109 vehicles in 2026 against 184 in 2024: taxis 28 → 23, private hire 156 → 86; 1.31 per 1,000 residents; 4% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 28 | 23 | down 18% |
| Private hire vehicles | 156 | 86 | down 45% |
| Driver licences | 218 | 166 | down 24% |
| Operator licences | 21 | 17 | down 19% |
How does Malvern Hills compare with other councils in the West Midlands?
Among councils in the West Midlands, Malvern Hills ranks 21st of 30 for vehicles per head (1.31 per 1,000, median 1.96). It ranks 24th for operators (17, median 46).[1]
| Measure | Malvern Hills | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.31 | 1.96 | 21st of 30 |
| Operator licences | 17 | 46 | 24th of 30 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 5 | 5 | 16th of 30 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 4% | 79% | 26th of 30 |
What does the Malvern Hills market look like for an operator?
Malvern Hills's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 21% taxis, 79% private hire of 109 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 5 PHVs per operator on average (86 across 17 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (166 for 109): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 22% dual-licensed drivers, 129 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 Malvern Hills differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Malvern Hills's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Two tests for Malvern Hills taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for Malvern Hills private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Malvern Hills's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Malvern Hills grant?
2 new, 4 renewed; 17 in force (21 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Malvern Hills?
17 at 1 April 2026, 21 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] Malvern Hills District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
