Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Rother?
154 vehicles in 2026 against 145 in 2024: taxis 102 → 105, private hire 43 → 49; 1.6 per 1,000 residents; 8% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 102 | 105 | up 3% |
| Private hire vehicles | 43 | 49 | up 14% |
| Driver licences | 144 | 139 | down 3% |
| Operator licences | 17 | 13 | down 24% |
How does Rother compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Rother ranks 47th of 64 for vehicles per head (1.6 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 63rd for operators (13, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Rother | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 2.23 | 47th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 13 | 51 | 63rd of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 4 | 28th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 8% | 14% | 42nd of 64 |
What does the Rother market look like for an operator?
Rother's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 68% taxis, 32% private hire of 154 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (49 across 13 licences).
- 0.9 drivers per vehicle (139 for 154).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Rother differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Rother's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- CCTV required in Rother taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- No good-character certificate from Rother applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- Rother operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Rother asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out driver licence number.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Rother's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Rother grant?
0 new, 5 renewed; 13 in force (17 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Rother?
From Rother District 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 |
|---|---|
| Dual driver licence, new: 1 year / 3 years | £298 / £595 |
| Dual driver licence renewal: 1 year / 3 years | £275 / £550 |
| DBS check (as part of an application) | £104 |
| Knowledge test (2nd or later attempt) / English proficiency test | £85 / £52 |
| Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle: new / renewal | £353 / £309 |
| Private hire operator, under 20 vehicles: 3 years / 5 years | £353 / £574 |
| Private hire operator, 20 or more vehicles: 3 years / 5 years | £706 / £1,148 |
Rother District Council: Taxi and private hire application fees, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Rother driver licence?
Dual driver licence, new: 1 year / 3 years: £298 / £595, according to Rother District Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Rother?
13 at 1 April 2026, 17 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] Rother District Council: Taxi and private hire application fees (read 8 Nov 2026)
