Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Tunbridge Wells?
252 vehicles in 2026 against 157 in 2024: taxis 52 → 93, private hire 105 → 159; 2.11 per 1,000 residents; 24% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 52 | 93 | up 79% |
| Private hire vehicles | 105 | 159 | up 51% |
| Driver licences | 264 | 294 | up 11% |
| Operator licences | 48 | 73 | up 52% |
How does Tunbridge Wells compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Tunbridge Wells ranks 36th of 64 for vehicles per head (2.11 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 17th for operators (73, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Tunbridge Wells | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.11 | 2.23 | 36th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 73 | 51 | 17th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 55th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 24% | 14% | 27th of 64 |
What does the Tunbridge Wells market look like for an operator?
Tunbridge Wells's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 37% taxis, 63% private hire of 252 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (159 across 73 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (294 for 252).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 9 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Tunbridge Wells differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Tunbridge Wells's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Tunbridge Wells limits hackney carriage licences (93 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No English test for Tunbridge Wells drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Tunbridge Wells applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Tunbridge Wells operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Tunbridge Wells asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out driver licence number and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Tunbridge Wells's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Tunbridge Wells grant?
14 new, 7 renewed; 73 in force (48 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Tunbridge Wells?
73 at 1 April 2026, 48 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] Tunbridge Wells Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
