Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Test Valley?
287 vehicles in 2026 against 261 in 2024: taxis 41 → 36, private hire 220 → 251; 2.12 per 1,000 residents; 25% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 41 | 36 | down 12% |
| Private hire vehicles | 220 | 251 | up 14% |
| Driver licences | 285 | 323 | up 13% |
| Operator licences | 83 | 99 | up 19% |
How does Test Valley compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Test Valley ranks 35th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.12 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 12th for operators (99, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Test Valley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.12 | 2.23 | 35th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 99 | 51 | 12th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 4 | 38th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 25% | 14% | 26th of 64 |
What does the Test Valley market look like for an operator?
Test Valley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 13% taxis, 87% private hire of 287 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (251 across 99 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (323 for 287).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 8 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Test Valley differ from other councils?
8 departures from the usual rules in Test Valley's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis face both an age limit and an emission standard and private hire vehicles an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Test Valley limits hackney carriage licences (36 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Test Valley taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Test Valley private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Test Valley private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Test Valley operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Test Valley operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Test Valley asks operators to record 8 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time booking is made and vehicle registration number and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Test Valley's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Test Valley grant?
10 new, 10 renewed; 99 in force (83 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Test Valley?
99 at 1 April 2026, 83 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] Test Valley Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
