Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Newcastle?
The biggest change since April 2024 is in private hire vehicles: 4,208 then, 5,738 now. With 19.42 licensed vehicles per 1,000 residents, Newcastle sits above the England figure of 5.84. 34% of its taxis are wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 567 | 489 | down 14% |
| Private hire vehicles | 4,208 | 5,738 | up 36% |
| Driver licences | 5,889 | 7,636 | up 30% |
| Operator licences | 69 | 105 | up 52% |
How does licensing in Newcastle differ from other councils?
Newcastle differs from most councils on 6 points in its 2026 return to the DfT. On vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Newcastle limits hackney carriage licences (489 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Newcastle taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No knowledge test for Newcastle private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Newcastle private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Newcastle operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Newcastle's own account to the DfT.
What did Newcastle report about operator licences?
35 new Newcastle operator applications, 50 renewals, with 105 operator licences in force on 1 April 2026, in Newcastle City Council's 2026 return to the DfT. See what Newcastle operators must record.[1]
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.
Related
- Taxi licence costs across UK councils
- Private hire operator licence explained
- Taxi knowledge test: what councils test
- Hackney carriage vs private hire: what is the difference?
- How long does it take to get a taxi licence?
- Taxi and private hire licensing in Wolverhampton
- Taxi and private hire licensing in London