Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Rhondda Cynon Taf?
426 vehicles in 2026 against 380 in 2024: taxis 260 → 302, private hire 120 → 124; 1.75 per 1,000 residents; 3% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 260 | 302 | up 16% |
| Private hire vehicles | 120 | 124 | up 3% |
| Driver licences | 457 | 535 | up 17% |
| Operator licences | 39 | 50 | up 28% |
How does Rhondda Cynon Taf compare with other councils in Wales?
Among councils in Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf ranks 19th of 22 for vehicles per head (1.75 per 1,000, median 2.78). It ranks 6th for operators (50, median 32).[1]
| Measure | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.75 | 2.78 | 19th of 22 |
| Operator licences | 50 | 32 | 6th of 22 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 5 | 21st of 22 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 3% | 8% | 17th of 22 |
What does the Rhondda Cynon Taf market look like for an operator?
Rhondda Cynon Taf's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 71% taxis, 29% private hire of 426 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (124 across 50 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (535 for 426): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Rhondda Cynon Taf differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Rhondda Cynon Taf's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- No English test for Rhondda Cynon Taf drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- DBS Update Service optional for Rhondda Cynon Taf drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No disability awareness course for Rhondda Cynon Taf private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Rhondda Cynon Taf operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Rhondda Cynon Taf operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Rhondda Cynon Taf asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Rhondda Cynon Taf's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Rhondda Cynon Taf grant?
9 new, 7 renewed; 50 in force (39 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Rhondda Cynon Taf?
50 at 1 April 2026, 39 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] Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
