Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Trafford?
1,117 vehicles in 2026 against 1,008 in 2024: taxis 71 → 67, private hire 937 → 1,050; 4.63 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 71 | 67 | down 6% |
| Private hire vehicles | 937 | 1,050 | up 12% |
| Driver licences | 1,372 | 1,519 | up 11% |
| Operator licences | 25 | 35 | up 40% |
How does Trafford compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Trafford ranks 11th of 35 for vehicles per head (4.63 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 25th for operators (35, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Trafford | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.63 | 3.73 | 11th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 35 | 45 | 25th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 30 | 9 | 5th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 12th of 35 |
What does the Trafford market look like for an operator?
Trafford's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 6% taxis, 94% private hire of 1,117 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 30 PHVs per operator on average (1,050 across 35 licences).
- 1.4 drivers per vehicle (1,519 for 1,117): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 17% dual-licensed drivers, 1,052 PHV-only, 56 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 Trafford differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Trafford'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: Trafford limits hackney carriage licences (67 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- CCTV banned in Trafford taxis, like only a handful of councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Trafford asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Trafford's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Trafford grant?
7 new, 7 renewed; 35 in force (25 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Trafford?
From Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council's own fee page, read 08/11/2026. Fees are reviewed each year, usually from April, so check the page before you apply.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test: initial / re-test | £99.75 / £89.25 |
| Private hire or hackney carriage vehicle | £183 |
| Replacement plate or badge | £26 |
| Private hire operator, 1-5 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £218 / £800 (+ £41 per vehicle after the first) |
| Private hire operator, 6-29 vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £495 / £2,080 |
| Private hire operator, 30+ vehicles: 1 year / 5 years | £683 / £2,846 |
Trafford Council: Taxi and private hire fees, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Trafford?
35 at 1 April 2026, 25 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] Trafford Council: Taxi and private hire fees (read 8 Nov 2026)
