Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Reading?
1,148 vehicles in 2026 against 1,056 in 2024: taxis 243 → 243, private hire 813 → 905; 6.28 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 243 | 243 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Private hire vehicles | 813 | 905 | up 11% |
| Driver licences | 1,397 | 1,463 | up 5% |
| Operator licences | 49 | 48 | down 2% |
How does Reading compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Reading ranks 7th of 64 for vehicles per head (6.28 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 37th for operators (48, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Reading | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 6.28 | 2.23 | 7th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 48 | 51 | 37th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 19 | 4 | 3rd of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 14% | 2nd of 64 |
What does the Reading market look like for an operator?
Reading's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 21% taxis, 79% private hire of 1,148 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 19 PHVs per operator on average (905 across 48 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (1,463 for 1,148): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 1,040 PHV-only, 346 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 Reading differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Reading'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: Reading limits hackney carriage licences (243 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No convictions policy required of Reading operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Reading's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Reading grant?
1 new, 48 renewed, 1 refused; 48 in force (49 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Reading?
From Reading Borough Council's own fee page, read 08/11/2026. Fees are reviewed each year, usually from April, so check the page before you apply.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver licence, new or renewal: hackney carriage / private hire | £328 / £319 |
| School transport driver licence | £240 |
| Hackney carriage vehicle licence, new or renewal | £439 (includes £103 for the unmet demand survey) |
| Private hire vehicle licence, new or renewal / transfer / change of registration | £315 / £52 / £58 |
| Executive private hire vehicle licence | £352 |
| Operator licence grant, 1-3 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £806 / £2,125 |
| Operator licence grant, 11-40 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £2,572 / £8,020 |
| Operator licence renewal, 1-3 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £561 / £2,065 |
Reading Borough Council: Taxi payments, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Reading driver licence?
Driver licence, new or renewal: hackney carriage / private hire: £328 / £319, according to Reading Borough Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Reading?
48 at 1 April 2026, 49 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] Reading Borough Council: Taxi payments (read 8 Nov 2026)
