ALL THINGS LICENSING The figures reveal that:
l Licensed taxi numbers continue to decline, falling by 7% since 2024 to approximately 52,300 vehicles.
l In contrast, the number of licensed private hire vehicles increased by 13% to around 290,000.
l Licensed driver numbers also increased by 9% to 417,300.
These include enhanced guidance and training for licensed drivers, improved awareness of safe-guarding responsibilities and clearer expectations regarding contact with emergency services when an immediate risk to life exists.
This development reinforces the increasingly important role licensed drivers play as part of the wider safeguarding network. Many drivers already act as the eyes and ears of their communities, reporting concerns relating to vulnerable individuals, exploitation, criminal activity and public safety.
The inquiry serves as a reminder that the public and regulators increasingly expect licensed drivers to act appropriately when confronted with emergencies.
Drivers should ensure they fully engage with safeguarding training and understand their responsibilities should they witness serious incidents or immediate threats to public safety.
Licensing authorities may need to review existing driver training programmes, safeguarding policies and fit and proper person assessments to ensure expectations are clear and consistent.
There may also be increasing scrutiny of the way in which authorities respond when drivers fail to discharge safeguarding responsibilities. Decision- makers are likely to place greater emphasis on conduct involving public protection when considering applications, suspensions and revocations.
The recommendations may also provide further momentum behind calls for greater national consistency in licence standards.
DfT statistics show continuing shift towards private hire
The latest DfT statistics provide an interesting snapshot of the sector as at 1 April 2026.
PHTM OCTOBER 2026
lPrivate hire operator licences rose by 17% to approximately 19,000.
l Accessibility remains an area of focus, with around 34,500 wheelchair-accessible vehicles now licensed throughout England.
l Encouragingly, safeguarding standards also remain high, with almost universal adoption of child exploitation awareness training, enhanced DBS checking and growing use of the National Register of Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S).
The figures continue to demonstrate the strong growth of the private hire market and the changing nature of passenger transport.
Operators should take confidence from rising driver and vehicle numbers but should also recognise the increasingly competitive environment. Accessibility, safeguarding and professional standards are becoming key factors in maintaining public confidence.
The continuing decline in hackney carriage numbers may also prompt wider discussion regarding the future sustainability of traditional taxi services in some areas.
For licensing authorities, the data reinforces the need for robust enforcement and intelligence sharing, particularly given ongoing concerns regarding out-of- area working.
The growing use of NR3S and strengthened safeguarding measures demonstrate the increasing professionalisation of licensing functions. Authorities should continue using available intelligence tools and ensure local policies align with developing national best practice.
The data also highlights the importance of
maintaining accessible transport provision and considering how licensing policies can support disabled passengers.
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