Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in North Hertfordshire?
285 vehicles in 2026 against 259 in 2024: taxis 162 → 162, private hire 97 → 123; 2.08 per 1,000 residents; 5% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 162 | 162 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Private hire vehicles | 97 | 123 | up 27% |
| Driver licences | 300 | 314 | up 5% |
| Operator licences | 20 | 25 | up 25% |
How does North Hertfordshire compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, North Hertfordshire ranks 28th of 45 for vehicles per head (2.08 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 36th for operators (25, median 40).[1]
| Measure | North Hertfordshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.08 | 2.48 | 28th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 25 | 40 | 36th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 5 | 5 | 23rd of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 5% | 21% | 32nd of 44 |
What does the North Hertfordshire market look like for an operator?
North Hertfordshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 57% taxis, 43% private hire of 285 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 5 PHVs per operator on average (123 across 25 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (314 for 285).
- 30% dual-licensed drivers, 136 PHV-only, 83 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 8 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in North Hertfordshire differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in North Hertfordshire's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- No knowledge test for North Hertfordshire private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No good-character certificate from North Hertfordshire applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for North Hertfordshire private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: North Hertfordshire asks operators to record 8 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time booking is made and name of driver and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by North Hertfordshire's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does North Hertfordshire grant?
5 new, 2 renewed; 25 in force (20 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in North Hertfordshire?
25 at 1 April 2026, 20 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] North Hertfordshire District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
