Key facts
How many taxis and private hire cars are licensed in Edinburgh?
In 2025 Edinburgh had 1,078 licensed taxis and 3,069 licensed private hire cars, with 1,890 taxi driver licences and 3,536 private hire car driver licences. 100% of its taxis are wheelchair accessible, against 46% across Scotland.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in Edinburgh?
The City of Edinburgh Council sets its own fees. The main ones are below, from the council's published fee schedule when we read it; check it before you apply, as fees are reviewed each April.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Taxi or private hire car licence, new (1 year) | £853 |
| Renewal: same vehicle / with a new vehicle (1 year) | £463 / £540 |
| Driver licence, new (1 year; taxi includes one topographical test) | £246 |
| Driver renewal: 1 year / 3 years | £151 / £231 |
| Taxi topographical test | £90 per application |
| Booking office licence: new / renewal (1 year) | £1,496 / £1,046 |
City of Edinburgh Council fees and charges 2026/27, valid from 1 April 2026.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How many taxis are there in Edinburgh?
1,078 licensed taxis and 3,069 licensed private hire cars in 2025, according to Scottish Transport Statistics.
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] Transport Scotland: Scottish Transport Statistics 2025, chapter 1, Table 1.4 (taxi, private hire cars and drivers licensed by local authority, 2025) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Private hire vehicle or minicab licence (Scotland) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] City of Edinburgh Council: Taxi and PHC licence application fees and charges 2026/27 (valid from 1 April 2026) (read 2 Nov 2026)