Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Gateshead?
383 vehicles in 2026 against 464 in 2024: taxis 117 → 104, private hire 347 → 279; 1.89 per 1,000 residents; 28% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 117 | 104 | down 11% |
| Private hire vehicles | 347 | 279 | down 20% |
| Driver licences | 513 | 409 | down 20% |
| Operator licences | 53 | 46 | down 13% |
How does Gateshead compare with other councils in the North East?
Among councils in the North East, Gateshead ranks 12th of 12 for vehicles per head (1.89 per 1,000, median 2.65). It ranks 5th for operators (46, median 30).[1]
| Measure | Gateshead | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 1.89 | 2.65 | 12th of 12 |
| Operator licences | 46 | 30 | 5th of 12 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 16 | 10th of 12 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 28% | 13% | 3rd of 12 |
What does the Gateshead market look like for an operator?
Gateshead's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 27% taxis, 73% private hire of 383 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (279 across 46 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (409 for 383).
- 46% dual-licensed drivers, 186 PHV-only, 33 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 10 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Gateshead differ from other councils?
9 departures from the usual rules in Gateshead's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Partial taxi cap: Gateshead limits licences for some vehicle types; about 3 in 4 councils have no cap.
- Two tests for Gateshead taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Gateshead private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No good-character certificate from Gateshead applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- No disability awareness course for Gateshead private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Gateshead operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Gateshead operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: Gateshead asks operators to record 10 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Gateshead's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Gateshead grant?
7 new, 4 renewed; 46 in force (53 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Gateshead?
46 at 1 April 2026, 53 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] Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
