Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Stroud?
148 vehicles in 2026 against 162 in 2024: taxis 92 → 89, private hire 70 → 59; 1.18 per 1,000 residents; 3% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 92 | 89 | down 3% |
| Private hire vehicles | 70 | 59 | down 16% |
| Driver licences | 155 | 155 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Operator licences | 45 | 41 | down 9% |
How does Stroud compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Stroud ranks 24th of 26 for vehicles per head (1.18 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 17th for operators (41, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Stroud | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.18 | 2.3 | 24th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 41 | 58 | 17th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 1 | 4 | 26th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 3% | 7% | 18th of 25 |
What does the Stroud market look like for an operator?
Stroud's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 60% taxis, 40% private hire of 148 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 1 PHV per operator on average (59 across 41 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (155 for 148).
- 67% dual-licensed drivers, 51 PHV-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 Stroud differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Stroud's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Two tests for Stroud taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for Stroud private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Stroud's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Stroud grant?
6 new, 22 renewed; 41 in force (45 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Stroud?
41 at 1 April 2026, 45 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] Stroud District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
