Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Wigan?
1,037 vehicles in 2026 against 1,025 in 2024: taxis 136 → 130, private hire 889 → 907; 3.01 per 1,000 residents; 23% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 136 | 130 | down 4% |
| Private hire vehicles | 889 | 907 | up 2% |
| Driver licences | 1,269 | 1,546 | up 22% |
| Operator licences | 82 | 102 | up 24% |
How does Wigan compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Wigan ranks 23rd of 35 for vehicles per head (3.01 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 7th for operators (102, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Wigan | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.01 | 3.73 | 23rd of 35 |
| Operator licences | 102 | 45 | 7th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 9 | 9 | 18th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 23% | 32% | 23rd of 35 |
What does the Wigan market look like for an operator?
Wigan's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 13% taxis, 87% private hire of 1,037 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 9 PHVs per operator on average (907 across 102 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (1,546 for 1,037): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 1,182 PHV-only, 231 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Wigan differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Wigan's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Wigan limits hackney carriage licences (130 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No English test for Wigan drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Wigan asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of dispatchers.
How many operator licences does Wigan grant?
18 new, 9 renewed, 4 suspended; 102 in force (82 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Wigan?
102 at 1 April 2026, 82 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] Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
