Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Warrington?
441 vehicles in 2026 against 497 in 2024: taxis 147 → 146, private hire 350 → 295; 2.05 per 1,000 residents; 23% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 147 | 146 | down 1% |
| Private hire vehicles | 350 | 295 | down 16% |
| Driver licences | 609 | 600 | down 1% |
| Operator licences | 70 | 80 | up 14% |
How does Warrington compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Warrington ranks 30th of 35 for vehicles per head (2.05 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 10th for operators (80, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Warrington | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.05 | 3.73 | 30th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 80 | 45 | 10th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 9 | 31st of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 23% | 32% | 22nd of 35 |
What does the Warrington market look like for an operator?
Warrington's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 33% taxis, 67% private hire of 441 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (295 across 80 licences).
- 1.4 drivers per vehicle (600 for 441): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Warrington differ from other councils?
10 departures from the usual rules in Warrington's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Warrington limits hackney carriage licences (146 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- CCTV required in Warrington taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- Warrington taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Warrington private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Warrington private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Warrington operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Warrington operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Warrington taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Warrington private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Warrington's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Warrington grant?
9 new, 40 renewed; 80 in force (70 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Warrington?
80 at 1 April 2026, 70 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] Warrington Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
