Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in North Tyneside?
684 vehicles in 2026 against 787 in 2024: taxis 130 → 122, private hire 657 → 562; 3.18 per 1,000 residents; 18% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 130 | 122 | down 6% |
| Private hire vehicles | 657 | 562 | down 14% |
| Driver licences | 902 | 745 | down 17% |
| Operator licences | 26 | 24 | down 8% |
How does North Tyneside compare with other councils in the North East?
Among councils in the North East, North Tyneside ranks 4th of 12 for vehicles per head (3.18 per 1,000, median 2.65). It ranks 7th for operators (24, median 30).[1]
| Measure | North Tyneside | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.18 | 2.65 | 4th of 12 |
| Operator licences | 24 | 30 | 7th of 12 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 23 | 16 | 4th of 12 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 18% | 13% | 4th of 12 |
What does the North Tyneside market look like for an operator?
North Tyneside's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 18% taxis, 82% private hire of 684 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 23 PHVs per operator on average (562 across 24 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (745 for 684).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 548 PHV-only, 39 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in North Tyneside differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in North Tyneside's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: North Tyneside limits hackney carriage licences (122 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- No knowledge test for North Tyneside private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for North Tyneside drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for North Tyneside private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by North Tyneside's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does North Tyneside grant?
4 new, 9 renewed; 24 in force (26 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in North Tyneside?
24 at 1 April 2026, 26 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] North Tyneside Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
