Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in County Durham?
1,113 vehicles in 2026 against 1,174 in 2024: taxis 641 → 512, private hire 533 → 601; 2.07 per 1,000 residents; 8% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 641 | 512 | down 20% |
| Private hire vehicles | 533 | 601 | up 13% |
| Driver licences | 1,286 | 1,284 | about the same as in 2024 |
| Operator licences | 208 | 181 | down 13% |
How does County Durham compare with other councils in the North East?
Among councils in the North East, County Durham ranks 10th of 12 for vehicles per head (2.07 per 1,000, median 2.65). It ranks 1st for operators (181, median 30).[1]
| Measure | County Durham | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.07 | 2.65 | 10th of 12 |
| Operator licences | 181 | 30 | 1st of 12 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 3 | 16 | 12th of 12 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 8% | 13% | 8th of 12 |
What does the County Durham market look like for an operator?
County Durham's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 46% taxis, 54% private hire of 1,113 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 3 PHVs per operator on average (601 across 181 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (1,284 for 1,113).
- 33% dual-licensed drivers, 514 PHV-only, 343 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in County Durham differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in County Durham's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Two tests for County Durham taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for County Durham private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: County Durham asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by County Durham's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does County Durham grant?
12 new, 169 renewed; 181 in force (208 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in County Durham?
181 at 1 April 2026, 208 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] Durham County Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
