TaxiPlus opens National Taxi & Private Hire Driver Survey 2026 with call for drivers to share their experiences
- Perry Richardson
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The 2026 National Taxi & Private Hire Driver Survey has officially opened, inviting licensed taxi and private hire drivers from across the UK to share their experiences on some of the sector’s biggest challenges, including licensing, earnings, electric vehicle adoption, safety and wellbeing.
The survey, which launched on 1 July, takes around 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until 30 September. Organisers say the responses will form part of a national report due to be published on 2 November, with the findings expected to be closely watched by drivers, operators, licensing authorities and industry stakeholders.
The initiative follows the first National Taxi & Private Hire Driver Survey conducted in 2024 when more than 1,400 drivers took part.
A key feature of the 2026 survey is the ability to compare results against those collected two years ago. Most of the original questions have been retained, allowing researchers to identify how driver opinions and industry conditions have changed over time while introducing new areas of investigation.
One of the biggest additions focuses on the process of becoming licensed. Cross-border licensing emerged as the dominant concern in the 2024 survey, ranking as the leading issue in eight of the UK’s 12 regions. This year, organisers are gathering more detailed information on licensing costs, application times, visits to council offices and whether drivers have considered obtaining a licence from another authority.
Financial pressures also remain firmly on the agenda. Drivers are being asked about rising operating costs, including fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance, alongside questions about whether earnings are keeping pace with inflation and increased business expenses. The survey also revisits electric vehicle adoption after 88.5% of respondents in 2024 said they were unable to charge an electric vehicle at home.
Driver wellbeing and safety form another significant part of the questionnaire. Organisers want to establish whether attitudes towards the profession have changed since 2024, when more than 40% of respondents said being a taxi or private hire driver was no longer worthwhile. The latest survey explores experiences of working conditions, personal safety during shifts and overall job satisfaction.
Unlike wider industry consultations, the survey is aimed solely at licensed drivers rather than operators, licensing authorities or app companies. Organisers say the objective is to provide an evidence base built directly from those working behind the wheel and to ensure discussions about the sector reflect drivers’ own experiences.
Privacy and data security are also emphasised. The survey is anonymous and does not request names, licence numbers or vehicle registration details. Providing an email address is optional and is only required for drivers wishing to enter a prize draw for a £500 voucher. Responses will be published only in aggregated form within the national report.
The survey is delivered through TaxiPlus, part of Personnel Checks, which the organisers say holds ISO 27001 accreditation, Cyber Essentials Plus certification and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. They say these standards are intended to reassure drivers about how any submitted information is handled.
Organisers are encouraging as many licensed taxi and private hire drivers as possible to participate before the survey closes on 30 September, arguing that higher participation will provide a more representative picture of the challenges and opportunities facing the trade across the UK.
