Wiltshire taxi licensing numbers remain below pre-COVID levels putting pressure on school transport
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 23
- 1 min read
Taxi driver and vehicle licence numbers across the region remain well below pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest update from Wiltshire Council’s Taxi Licensing Team.
As of May 2025, there were 860 licensed taxi drivers. That marks a net drop of 190, or 17%, since April 2020. While 2023 saw a modest recovery with an 11% rise in driver numbers, the increase slowed in 2024 and has now plateaued. Licensing officers believe that numbers will not return to those seen before COVID-19, citing changes in town centre footfall and a weakened night-time economy.
Vehicle licence figures show a similar trend. A total of 831 vehicles are currently licensed, down from 917 at the beginning of the pandemic. Although the number briefly exceeded 800 in early 2023, growth has since stalled. The team forecasts that demand will remain suppressed due to lasting changes in consumer behaviour.
Currently, 106 licensed vehicles are wheelchair accessible, making up 12.7% of the overall fleet. Hackney carriages account for 504 of the licensed vehicles, with 327 operating under private hire.
The reduction in licensed taxis has implications for the Council’s Passenger Transport Unit, which relies on the trade for school transport services. The update suggests that maintaining availability will be a challenge unless vehicle numbers increase.
The Licensing Team is also reviewing current policies in response to recent government guidance and potential changes linked to the 2020 Environment Bill. Among the proposals under consideration are the removal of age-based criteria for vehicle licences in favour of emissions standards. Officers are also progressing two large projects: a taxi rank accessibility review and a plan for transitioning to hybrid and electric vehicles.
