Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Slough?
410 vehicles in 2026 against 451 in 2024: taxis 93 → 83, private hire 358 → 327; 2.45 per 1,000 residents; 42% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 93 | 83 | down 11% |
| Private hire vehicles | 358 | 327 | down 9% |
| Driver licences | 684 | 604 | down 12% |
| Operator licences | 42 | 55 | up 31% |
How does Slough compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Slough ranks 28th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.45 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 29th for operators (55, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Slough | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.45 | 2.23 | 28th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 55 | 51 | 29th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 4 | 19th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 42% | 14% | 16th of 64 |
What does the Slough market look like for an operator?
Slough's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 20% taxis, 80% private hire of 410 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (327 across 55 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (604 for 410): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 39% dual-licensed drivers, 335 PHV-only, 33 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 Slough differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Slough'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: Slough limits hackney carriage licences (83 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Slough taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Slough private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Slough drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Slough operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Slough operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Slough's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Slough grant?
11 new, 8 renewed; 55 in force (42 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Slough?
55 at 1 April 2026, 42 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] Slough Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
