Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Ribble Valley?
84 vehicles in 2026 against 108 in 2024: taxis 49 → 52, private hire 59 → 32; 1.28 per 1,000 residents; 8% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 49 | 52 | up 6% |
| Private hire vehicles | 59 | 32 | down 46% |
| Driver licences | 125 | 109 | down 13% |
| Operator licences | 19 | 17 | down 11% |
How does Ribble Valley compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Ribble Valley ranks 33rd of 35 for vehicles per head (1.28 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 32nd for operators (17, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Ribble Valley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.28 | 3.73 | 33rd of 35 |
| Operator licences | 17 | 45 | 32nd of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 9 | 34th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 8% | 32% | 32nd of 35 |
What does the Ribble Valley market look like for an operator?
Ribble Valley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 62% taxis, 38% private hire of 84 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (32 across 17 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (109 for 84): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 48 PHV-only, 50 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 Ribble Valley differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Ribble Valley's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Ribble Valley limits hackney carriage licences (52 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- DBS Update Service optional for Ribble Valley drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- Ribble Valley operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Ribble Valley operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Ribble Valley taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Ribble Valley private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Ribble Valley's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Ribble Valley grant?
1 new, 18 renewed; 17 in force (19 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Ribble Valley?
17 at 1 April 2026, 19 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] Ribble Valley Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
