Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Torridge?
170 vehicles in 2026 against 139 in 2024: taxis 47 → 49, private hire 92 → 121; 2.43 per 1,000 residents; 8% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 47 | 49 | up 4% |
| Private hire vehicles | 92 | 121 | up 32% |
| Driver licences | 130 | 173 | up 33% |
| Operator licences | 17 | 16 | down 6% |
How does Torridge compare with other councils in the South West?
Among councils in the South West, Torridge ranks 12th of 26 for vehicles per head (2.43 per 1,000, median 2.3). It ranks 25th for operators (16, median 58).[1]
| Measure | Torridge | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.43 | 2.3 | 12th of 26 |
| Operator licences | 16 | 58 | 25th of 26 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 8 | 4 | 6th of 26 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 8% | 7% | 12th of 25 |
What does the Torridge market look like for an operator?
Torridge's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 29% taxis, 71% private hire of 170 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 8 PHVs per operator on average (121 across 16 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (173 for 170).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Torridge differ from other councils?
9 departures from the usual rules in Torridge's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Torridge limits hackney carriage licences (49 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Torridge taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Torridge private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Torridge drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Torridge private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Torridge operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Torridge operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Torridge asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out driver licence number.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Torridge's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Torridge grant?
2 new, 6 renewed; 16 in force (17 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Torridge?
16 at 1 April 2026, 17 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] Torridge District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
