Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Welwyn Hatfield?
101 vehicles in 2026 against 139 in 2024: taxis 65 → 26, private hire 74 → 75; 0.82 per 1,000 residents; 46% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 65 | 26 | down 60% |
| Private hire vehicles | 74 | 75 | up 1% |
| Driver licences | 194 | 154 | down 21% |
| Operator licences | 13 | 20 | up 54% |
How does Welwyn Hatfield compare with other councils in the East of England?
Among councils in the East of England, Welwyn Hatfield ranks 44th of 45 for vehicles per head (0.82 per 1,000, median 2.48). It ranks 39th for operators (20, median 40).[1]
| Measure | Welwyn Hatfield | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 0.82 | 2.48 | 44th of 45 |
| Operator licences | 20 | 40 | 39th of 45 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 5 | 30th of 45 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 46% | 21% | 10th of 44 |
What does the Welwyn Hatfield market look like for an operator?
Welwyn Hatfield's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 26% taxis, 74% private hire of 101 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (75 across 20 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (154 for 101): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 58% dual-licensed drivers, 64 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 Welwyn Hatfield differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Welwyn Hatfield's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis face both an age limit and an emission standard and private hire vehicles an age limit.[1]
- No disability awareness course for Welwyn Hatfield private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Welwyn Hatfield 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: before 2022, by Welwyn Hatfield's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Welwyn Hatfield grant?
6 new, 14 renewed; 20 in force (13 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Welwyn Hatfield?
20 at 1 April 2026, 13 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] Welwyn Hatfield Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
