Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Portsmouth?
1,611 vehicles in 2026 against 1,211 in 2024: taxis 205 → 182, private hire 1,006 → 1,429; 7.52 per 1,000 residents; 20% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 205 | 182 | down 11% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,006 | 1,429 | up 42% |
| Driver licences | 1,497 | 1,955 | up 31% |
| Operator licences | 33 | 48 | up 45% |
How does Portsmouth compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Portsmouth ranks 3rd of 64 for vehicles per head (7.52 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 38th for operators (48, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Portsmouth | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 7.52 | 2.23 | 3rd of 64 |
| Operator licences | 48 | 51 | 38th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 30 | 4 | 1st of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 20% | 14% | 29th of 64 |
What does the Portsmouth market look like for an operator?
Portsmouth's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 11% taxis, 89% private hire of 1,611 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 30 PHVs per operator on average (1,429 across 48 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (1,955 for 1,611).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 1,697 PHV-only, 216 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 Portsmouth differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Portsmouth'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]
- Taxi numbers capped: Portsmouth limits hackney carriage licences (182 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- CCTV required in Portsmouth taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- No knowledge test for Portsmouth private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Portsmouth private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Portsmouth's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Portsmouth grant?
19 new, 31 renewed; 48 in force (33 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Portsmouth?
48 at 1 April 2026, 33 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] Portsmouth City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
