Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Southend-on-Sea?
459 vehicles in 2026 against 455 in 2024: taxis 269 → 249, private hire 186 → 210; 2.48 per 1,000 residents; 32% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 269 | 249 | down 7% |
| Private hire vehicles | 186 | 210 | up 13% |
| Driver licences | 560 | 540 | down 4% |
| Operator licences | 36 | 30 | down 17% |
How does Southend-on-Sea compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Southend-on-Sea ranks 23rd of 45 for vehicles per head (2.48 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 32nd for operators (30, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Southend-on-Sea | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.48 | 2.48 | 23rd of 45 |
| Operator licences | 30 | 40 | 32nd of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 7 | 5 | 15th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 32% | 21% | 15th of 44 |
What does the Southend-on-Sea market look like for an operator?
Southend-on-Sea's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 54% taxis, 46% private hire of 459 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 7 PHVs per operator on average (210 across 30 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (540 for 459).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Southend-on-Sea differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Southend-on-Sea'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: Southend-on-Sea limits hackney carriage licences (249 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No English test for Southend-on-Sea drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Southend-on-Sea operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Southend-on-Sea operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Southend-on-Sea asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
How many operator licences does Southend-on-Sea grant?
8 new, 15 renewed; 30 in force (36 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Southend-on-Sea?
30 at 1 April 2026, 36 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] Southend-on-Sea City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
