Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in West Northamptonshire?
2,101 vehicles in 2026 against 1,653 in 2024: taxis 178 → 148, private hire 1,475 → 1,953; 4.78 per 1,000 residents; 37% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 178 | 148 | down 17% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,475 | 1,953 | up 32% |
| Driver licences | 1,914 | 2,120 | up 11% |
| Operator licences | 138 | 151 | up 9% |
How does West Northamptonshire compare with other councils in the East Midlands?
Among councils in the East Midlands, West Northamptonshire ranks 6th of 35 for vehicles per head (4.78 per 1,000, median 1.94). It ranks 2nd for operators (151, median 27).[1]
| Measure | West Northamptonshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 4.78 | 1.94 | 6th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 151 | 27 | 2nd of 34 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 13 | 4 | 4th of 34 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 37% | 10% | 11th of 33 |
What does the West Northamptonshire market look like for an operator?
West Northamptonshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 7% taxis, 93% private hire of 2,101 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 13 PHVs per operator on average (1,953 across 151 licences).
- 1 drivers per vehicle (2,120 for 2,101).
- 17% dual-licensed drivers, 1,754 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in West Northamptonshire differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in West Northamptonshire's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- No good-character certificate from West Northamptonshire applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- West Northamptonshire operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: West Northamptonshire asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by West Northamptonshire's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does West Northamptonshire grant?
30 new, 14 renewed; 151 in force (138 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in West Northamptonshire?
From West Northamptonshire Council's own fee page, read 08/11/2026. Fees are reviewed each year, usually from April, so check the page before you apply.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| New driver licence (1 or 3 years) | £245.00 |
| Driver licence renewal (1 or 3 years) | £233.00 |
| Induction training plus knowledge test | £85.00 |
| Spoken English test / hackney carriage zone knowledge test | £70.00 / £70.00 |
| Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle: new / renewal (excluding vehicle test) | £235.00 / £225.00 |
| Operator licence, 1 year, new, 0 vehicles | £250.00 |
| Operator licence, 5 years, 1-5 / 6-20 / 21-50 vehicles | £1,050.00 / £1,200.00 / £2,100.00 |
| Operator licence, 5 years, 501+ vehicles | £21,000.00 |
West Northamptonshire Council: Private hire and taxi vehicle, driver and operator licence fees 2026/27, read 08/11/2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a West Northamptonshire driver licence?
New driver licence (1 or 3 years): £245.00, according to West Northamptonshire Council's fee page, read 08/11/2026.
How many private hire operators are there in West Northamptonshire?
151 at 1 April 2026, 138 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] West Northamptonshire Council: Private hire and taxi vehicle, driver and operator licence fees 2026/27 (read 8 Nov 2026)
