Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Worcester?
282 vehicles in 2026 against 322 in 2024: taxis 253 → 222, private hire 69 → 60; 2.64 per 1,000 residents; 81% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 253 | 222 | down 12% |
| Private hire vehicles | 69 | 60 | down 13% |
| Driver licences | 351 | 334 | down 5% |
| Operator licences | 15 | 19 | up 27% |
How does Worcester compare with other councils in the West Midlands?
Among councils in the West Midlands, Worcester ranks 12th of 30 for vehicles per head (2.64 per 1,000, median 1.96). It ranks 22nd for operators (19, median 46).[1]
| Measure | Worcester | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.64 | 1.96 | 12th of 30 |
| Operator licences | 19 | 46 | 22nd of 30 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 5 | 22nd of 30 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 81% | 79% | 14th of 30 |
What does the Worcester market look like for an operator?
Worcester's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 79% taxis, 21% private hire of 282 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (60 across 19 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (334 for 282).
- 94% dual-licensed drivers, 20 PHV-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Worcester differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Worcester's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Worcester limits hackney carriage licences (222 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Worcester taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for Worcester private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Worcester's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Worcester grant?
5 new, 0 renewed; 19 in force (15 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Worcester?
19 at 1 April 2026, 15 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] Worcester City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
