Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Waverley?
213 vehicles in 2026 against 235 in 2024: taxis 185 → 170, private hire 50 → 43; 1.59 per 1,000 residents; 1% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 185 | 170 | down 8% |
| Private hire vehicles | 50 | 43 | down 14% |
| Driver licences | 281 | 268 | down 5% |
| Operator licences | 48 | 58 | up 21% |
How does Waverley compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Waverley ranks 48th of 64 for vehicles per head (1.59 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 28th for operators (58, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Waverley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.59 | 2.23 | 48th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 58 | 51 | 28th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 1 | 4 | 64th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 1% | 14% | 61st of 64 |
What does the Waverley market look like for an operator?
Waverley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 80% taxis, 20% private hire of 213 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 1 PHV per operator on average (43 across 58 licences).
- 1.3 drivers per vehicle (268 for 213): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 88% dual-licensed drivers, 33 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 Waverley differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Waverley's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- No good-character certificate from Waverley applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for Waverley private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Waverley operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Waverley asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out time of pick-up and date of pick-up and date booking is made.
- Policy last updated: 2021, by Waverley's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Waverley grant?
9 new, 6 renewed; 58 in force (48 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Waverley?
58 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] Waverley Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
