Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Three Rivers?
190 vehicles in 2026 against 247 in 2024: taxis 8 → 4, private hire 239 → 186; 1.98 per 1,000 residents; 75% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 8 | 4 | down 50% |
| Private hire vehicles | 239 | 186 | down 22% |
| Driver licences | 239 | 191 | down 20% |
| Operator licences | 32 | 32 | about the same as in 2024 |
How does Three Rivers compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Three Rivers ranks 29th of 45 for vehicles per head (1.98 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 29th for operators (32, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Three Rivers | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.98 | 2.48 | 29th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 32 | 40 | 29th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 5 | 19th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 75% | 21% | 9th of 44 |
What does the Three Rivers market look like for an operator?
Three Rivers's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 2% taxis, 98% private hire of 190 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (186 across 32 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (191 for 190).
- 1% dual-licensed drivers, 187 PHV-only, 3 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Three Rivers differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Three Rivers'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]
- Three Rivers taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Three Rivers private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Three Rivers drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Three Rivers operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Three Rivers asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Three Rivers's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Three Rivers grant?
1 new, 7 renewed; 32 in force (32 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Three Rivers?
32 at 1 April 2026, 32 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] Three Rivers District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
