Key facts
- Licensing authority
- Runnymede Borough Council
- Vehicles, 1 April 2026
- 37 taxis (0 wheelchair accessible), 41 private hire[1]
- Licences held
- 98 drivers, 25 operators[1]
- Per 1,000 residents
- 0.85 vehicles (England: 5.84)[1]
- Knowledge test: hackney carriage driver / private hire driver / operator
- £73 / £64 / £64[3]
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Runnymede?
78 vehicles in 2026 against 78 in 2024: taxis 48 → 37, private hire 30 → 41; 0.85 per 1,000 residents; 0% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 48 | 37 | down 23% |
| Private hire vehicles | 30 | 41 | up 37% |
| Driver licences | 95 | 98 | up 3% |
| Operator licences | 25 | 25 | about the same as in 2024 |
How does Runnymede compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Runnymede ranks 63rd of 64 for vehicles per head (0.85 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 57th for operators (25, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Runnymede | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 0.85 | 2.23 | 63rd of 64 |
| Operator licences | 25 | 51 | 57th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 58th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 0% | 14% | 63rd of 64 |
What does the Runnymede market look like for an operator?
Runnymede's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 47% taxis, 53% private hire of 78 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (41 across 25 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (98 for 78): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 52% dual-licensed drivers, 47 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Runnymede differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Runnymede's DfT return.[1]
- No convictions policy required of Runnymede operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Runnymede taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Runnymede private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Runnymede asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Runnymede's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Runnymede grant?
3 new, 15 renewed; 25 in force (25 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Runnymede?
From Runnymede 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 |
|---|---|
| Hackney carriage vehicle licence | £277 |
| Temporary vehicle licence, 14 days | £110 |
| Change of vehicle during the licence period | £83 |
| Knowledge test: hackney carriage driver / private hire driver / operator | £73 / £64 / £64 |
| Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) | £78 |
Runnymede Borough Council: Taxi fees, April 2026, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Runnymede driver licence?
Knowledge test: hackney carriage driver / private hire driver / operator: £73 / £64 / £64, according to Runnymede Borough Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in Runnymede?
25 at 1 April 2026, 25 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] Runnymede Borough Council: Taxi fees, April 2026 (read 8 Nov 2026)
