Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Mid Sussex?
357 vehicles in 2026 against 353 in 2024: taxis 154 → 156, private hire 199 → 201; 2.21 per 1,000 residents; 21% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 154 | 156 | up 1% |
| Private hire vehicles | 199 | 201 | up 1% |
| Driver licences | 476 | 526 | up 11% |
| Operator licences | 68 | 81 | up 19% |
How does Mid Sussex compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Mid Sussex ranks 34th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.21 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 15th for operators (81, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Mid Sussex | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.21 | 2.23 | 34th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 81 | 51 | 15th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 61st of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 21% | 14% | 28th of 64 |
What does the Mid Sussex market look like for an operator?
Mid Sussex's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 44% taxis, 56% private hire of 357 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (201 across 81 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (526 for 357): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 281 PHV-only, 201 taxi-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 Mid Sussex differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Mid Sussex'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]
- Partial taxi cap: Mid Sussex limits licences for some vehicle types; about 3 in 4 councils have no cap.
- CCTV required in Mid Sussex taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Mid Sussex's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Mid Sussex grant?
23 new, 32 renewed; 81 in force (68 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Mid Sussex?
81 at 1 April 2026, 68 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] Mid Sussex District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
