Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Wyre?
217 vehicles in 2026 against 248 in 2024: taxis 160 → 156, private hire 88 → 61; 1.83 per 1,000 residents; 1% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 160 | 156 | down 2% |
| Private hire vehicles | 88 | 61 | down 31% |
| Driver licences | 393 | 336 | down 15% |
| Operator licences | 36 | 33 | down 8% |
How does Wyre compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Wyre ranks 31st of 35 for vehicles per head (1.83 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 27th for operators (33, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Wyre | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.83 | 3.73 | 31st of 35 |
| Operator licences | 33 | 45 | 27th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 2 | 9 | 35th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 1% | 32% | 35th of 35 |
What does the Wyre market look like for an operator?
Wyre's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 72% taxis, 28% private hire of 217 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 2 PHVs per operator on average (61 across 33 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (336 for 217): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Wyre differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Wyre's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Wyre limits hackney carriage licences (156 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No English test for Wyre drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Wyre applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for Wyre private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Wyre operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Wyre operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Wyre's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Wyre grant?
4 new, 8 renewed; 33 in force (36 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Wyre?
33 at 1 April 2026, 36 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] Wyre Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
