Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Uttlesford?
1,543 vehicles in 2026 against 1,820 in 2024: taxis 38 → 48, private hire 1,782 → 1,495; 16.22 per 1,000 residents; 2% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 38 | 48 | up 26% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,782 | 1,495 | down 16% |
| Driver licences | 1,837 | 2,368 | up 29% |
| Operator licences | 80 | 89 | up 11% |
How does Uttlesford compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Uttlesford ranks 2nd of 45 for vehicles per head (16.22 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 6th for operators (89, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Uttlesford | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 16.22 | 2.48 | 2nd of 45 |
| Operator licences | 89 | 40 | 6th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 17 | 5 | 3rd of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 2% | 21% | 40th of 44 |
What does the Uttlesford market look like for an operator?
Uttlesford's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 3% taxis, 97% private hire of 1,543 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 17 PHVs per operator on average (1,495 across 89 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (2,368 for 1,543): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 3% dual-licensed drivers, 2,293 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 9 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Uttlesford differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Uttlesford's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard.[1]
- No knowledge test for Uttlesford private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No convictions policy required of Uttlesford operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Uttlesford asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out vehicle registration number and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Uttlesford's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Uttlesford grant?
12 new, 15 renewed; 89 in force (80 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Uttlesford?
89 at 1 April 2026, 80 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] Uttlesford District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
