Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Woking?
658 vehicles in 2026 against 416 in 2024: taxis 113 → 183, private hire 303 → 475; 6.23 per 1,000 residents; 26% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 113 | 183 | up 62% |
| Private hire vehicles | 303 | 475 | up 57% |
| Driver licences | 519 | 620 | up 19% |
| Operator licences | 57 | 124 | up 118% |
How does Woking compare with other councils in the South East?
Among councils in the South East, Woking ranks 8th of 64 for vehicles per head (6.23 per 1,000, median 2.23). It ranks 7th for operators (124, median 51).[1]
| Measure | Woking | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 6.23 | 2.23 | 8th of 64 |
| Operator licences | 124 | 51 | 7th of 64 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 4 | 34th of 64 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 26% | 14% | 24th of 64 |
What does the Woking market look like for an operator?
Woking's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 28% taxis, 72% private hire of 658 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (475 across 124 licences).
- 0.9 drivers per vehicle (620 for 658).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 346 PHV-only, 274 taxi-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 Woking differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Woking's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- DBS Update Service optional for Woking drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No disability awareness course for Woking private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Woking operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Woking operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Woking asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by Woking's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Woking grant?
13 new, 73 renewed; 124 in force (57 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Woking?
124 at 1 April 2026, 57 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] Woking Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
