Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in North Yorkshire?
1,302 vehicles in 2026 against 1,640 in 2024: taxis 777 → 686, private hire 863 → 616; 2.05 per 1,000 residents; 9% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 777 | 686 | down 12% |
| Private hire vehicles | 863 | 616 | down 29% |
| Driver licences | 1,908 | 1,587 | down 17% |
| Operator licences | 171 | 172 | up 1% |
How does North Yorkshire compare with other councils in Yorkshire and the Humber?
Among councils in Yorkshire and the Humber, North Yorkshire ranks 13th of 15 for vehicles per head (2.05 per 1,000, median 3.7). It ranks 2nd for operators (172, median 86).[1]
| Measure | North Yorkshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.05 | 3.7 | 13th of 15 |
| Operator licences | 172 | 86 | 2nd of 15 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 4 | 10 | 13th of 15 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 9% | 25% | 13th of 15 |
What does the North Yorkshire market look like for an operator?
North Yorkshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 53% taxis, 47% private hire of 1,302 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 4 PHVs per operator on average (616 across 172 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (1,587 for 1,302).
- 96% dual-licensed drivers, 44 PHV-only, 15 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 9 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in North Yorkshire differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in North Yorkshire's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- North Yorkshire taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for North Yorkshire private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No good-character certificate from North Yorkshire applicants who lived abroad; about 84% of councils require one.
- Fewer booking details required: North Yorkshire asks operators to record 9 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out passenger name and name of booker and name of dispatchers.
- Policy last updated: 2026, by North Yorkshire's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does North Yorkshire grant?
26 new, 35 renewed, 2 revoked; 172 in force (171 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in North Yorkshire?
172 at 1 April 2026, 171 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 Yorkshire Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
