Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Teignbridge?
431 vehicles in 2026 against 337 in 2024: taxis 252 → 273, private hire 85 → 158; 3.11 per 1,000 residents; 1% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 252 | 273 | up 8% |
| Private hire vehicles | 85 | 158 | up 86% |
| Driver licences | 372 | 439 | up 18% |
| Operator licences | 33 | 34 | up 3% |
How does Teignbridge compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Teignbridge ranks 9th of 26 for vehicles per head (3.11 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 18th for operators (34, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Teignbridge | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.11 | 2.3 | 9th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 34 | 58 | 18th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 5 | 4 | 11th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 1% | 7% | 22nd of 25 |
What does the Teignbridge market look like for an operator?
Teignbridge's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 63% taxis, 37% private hire of 431 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 5 PHVs per operator on average (158 across 34 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (439 for 431).
- 34% dual-licensed drivers, 127 PHV-only, 162 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 5 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Teignbridge differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Teignbridge's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Teignbridge taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Teignbridge private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Teignbridge drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No safeguarding course for Teignbridge private hire drivers; almost all councils require one.
- Teignbridge operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Teignbridge operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Teignbridge's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Teignbridge grant?
7 new, 11 renewed; 34 in force (33 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Teignbridge?
34 at 1 April 2026, 33 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] Teignbridge District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
