Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Barnsley?
478 vehicles in 2026 against 0 in 2024: taxis n/a → 67, private hire n/a → 411; 1.9 per 1,000 residents; 7% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | n/a | 67 | n/a |
| Private hire vehicles | n/a | 411 | n/a |
| Driver licences | n/a | 537 | n/a |
| Operator licences | n/a | 118 | n/a |
How does Barnsley compare with other councils in Yorkshire and the Humber?
Among councils in Yorkshire and the Humber, Barnsley ranks 14th of 15 for vehicles per head (1.9 per 1,000, median 3.7). It ranks 5th for operators (118, median 86).[1]
| Measure | Barnsley | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 3.7 | 14th of 15 |
| Operator licences | 118 | 86 | 5th of 15 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 10 | 14th of 15 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 7% | 25% | 14th of 15 |
What does the Barnsley market look like for an operator?
Barnsley's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 14% taxis, 86% private hire of 478 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (411 across 118 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (537 for 478).
- 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 Barnsley differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Barnsley's DfT return. Vehicles: drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Barnsley limits hackney carriage licences (67 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- CCTV required in Barnsley taxis; about 9 in 10 councils only allow it.
- No convictions policy required of Barnsley operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- No age or emission limit for Barnsley taxis, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No age or emission limit for Barnsley private hire vehicles, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2022, by Barnsley's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Barnsley grant?
16 new, 23 renewed; 118 in force (n/a in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Barnsley?
118 at 1 April 2026, n/a 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] Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
