Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Torbay?
524 vehicles in 2026 against 517 in 2024: taxis 169 → 189, private hire 348 → 335; 3.74 per 1,000 residents; 1% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 169 | 189 | up 12% |
| Private hire vehicles | 348 | 335 | down 4% |
| Driver licences | 544 | 550 | up 1% |
| Operator licences | 351 | 199 | down 43% |
How does Torbay compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Torbay ranks 7th of 26 for vehicles per head (3.74 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 2nd for operators (199, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Torbay | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.74 | 2.3 | 7th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 199 | 58 | 2nd of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 20th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 1% | 7% | 20th of 25 |
What does the Torbay market look like for an operator?
Torbay's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 36% taxis, 64% private hire of 524 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (335 across 199 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (550 for 524).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Torbay differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Torbay'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]
- Taxi numbers capped: Torbay limits hackney carriage licences (189 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No English test for Torbay drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Torbay operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Torbay's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Torbay grant?
41 new, 44 renewed, 3 revoked; 199 in force (351 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Torbay?
199 at 1 April 2026, 351 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] Torbay Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
