Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Wealden?
254 vehicles in 2026 against 259 in 2024: taxis 87 → 86, private hire 172 → 168; 1.52 per 1,000 residents; 6% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 87 | 86 | down 1% |
| Private hire vehicles | 172 | 168 | down 2% |
| Driver licences | 254 | 229 | down 10% |
| Operator licences | 74 | 71 | down 4% |
How does Wealden compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Wealden ranks 49th of 64 for vehicles per head (1.52 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 18th for operators (71, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Wealden | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.52 | 2.23 | 49th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 71 | 51 | 18th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 4 | 48th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 6% | 14% | 45th of 64 |
What does the Wealden market look like for an operator?
Wealden's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 34% taxis, 66% private hire of 254 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (168 across 71 licences).
- 0.9 drivers per vehicle (229 for 254).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Wealden differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Wealden's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- CCTV required in Wealden taxis and private hire vehicles; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- No good-character certificate from Wealden applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- Wealden operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Wealden asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out driver licence number.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by Wealden's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Wealden grant?
6 new, 17 renewed; 71 in force (74 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Wealden?
71 at 1 April 2026, 74 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] Wealden District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
