Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Stevenage?
263 vehicles in 2026 against 270 in 2024: taxis 96 → 98, private hire 174 → 165; 2.87 per 1,000 residents; 30% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 96 | 98 | up 2% |
| Private hire vehicles | 174 | 165 | down 5% |
| Driver licences | 294 | 287 | down 2% |
| Operator licences | 27 | 27 | about the same as in 2024 |
How does Stevenage compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Stevenage ranks 19th of 45 for vehicles per head (2.87 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 35th for operators (27, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Stevenage | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.87 | 2.48 | 19th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 27 | 40 | 35th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 5 | 20th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 30% | 21% | 16th of 44 |
What does the Stevenage market look like for an operator?
Stevenage's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 37% taxis, 63% private hire of 263 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (165 across 27 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (287 for 263).
- 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 Stevenage differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Stevenage's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Stevenage limits hackney carriage licences (98 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Fewer booking details required: Stevenage 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 Stevenage's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Stevenage grant?
0 new, 13 renewed; 27 in force (27 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Stevenage?
27 at 1 April 2026, 27 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] Stevenage Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
