Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in South Ribble?
247 vehicles in 2026 against 222 in 2024: taxis 105 → 106, private hire 117 → 141; 2.13 per 1,000 residents; 14% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 105 | 106 | up 1% |
| Private hire vehicles | 117 | 141 | up 21% |
| Driver licences | 335 | 386 | up 15% |
| Operator licences | 21 | 18 | down 14% |
How does South Ribble compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, South Ribble ranks 29th of 35 for vehicles per head (2.13 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 30th for operators (18, median 45).[1]
| Measure | South Ribble | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.13 | 3.73 | 29th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 18 | 45 | 30th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 8 | 9 | 24th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 14% | 32% | 28th of 35 |
What does the South Ribble market look like for an operator?
South Ribble's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 43% taxis, 57% private hire of 247 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 8 PHVs per operator on average (141 across 18 licences).
- 1.6 drivers per vehicle (386 for 247): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 199 PHV-only, 131 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 South Ribble differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in South Ribble's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis face both an age limit and an emission standard and private hire vehicles an age limit, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Two tests for South Ribble taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for South Ribble private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No disability awareness course for South Ribble private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of South Ribble operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by South Ribble's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does South Ribble grant?
3 new, 1 renewed; 18 in force (21 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in South Ribble?
18 at 1 April 2026, 21 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] South Ribble Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
