Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Milton Keynes?
1,196 vehicles in 2026 against 1,152 in 2024: taxis 194 → 185, private hire 958 → 1,011; 3.91 per 1,000 residents; 64% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 194 | 185 | down 5% |
| Private hire vehicles | 958 | 1,011 | up 6% |
| Driver licences | 1,405 | 1,501 | up 7% |
| Operator licences | 96 | 116 | up 21% |
How does Milton Keynes compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Milton Keynes ranks 19th of 64 for vehicles per head (3.91 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 8th for operators (116, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Milton Keynes | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.91 | 2.23 | 19th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 116 | 51 | 8th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 9 | 4 | 10th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 64% | 14% | 13th of 64 |
What does the Milton Keynes market look like for an operator?
Milton Keynes's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 15% taxis, 85% private hire of 1,196 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 9 PHVs per operator on average (1,011 across 116 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (1,501 for 1,196): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Milton Keynes differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Milton Keynes'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]
- Two tests for Milton Keynes taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Milton Keynes private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Milton Keynes's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Milton Keynes grant?
9 new, 53 renewed; 116 in force (96 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Milton Keynes?
116 at 1 April 2026, 96 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] Milton Keynes City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
