Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Nottingham?
2,333 vehicles in 2026 against 1,486 in 2024: taxis 195 → 177, private hire 1,291 → 2,156; 7.05 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 195 | 177 | down 9% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,291 | 2,156 | up 67% |
| Driver licences | 1,939 | 2,779 | up 43% |
| Operator licences | 50 | 94 | up 88% |
How does Nottingham compare with other councils in the East Midlands?
Among councils in the East Midlands, Nottingham ranks 3rd of 35 for vehicles per head (7.05 per 1,000, median 1.94). It ranks 6th for operators (94, median 27).[1]
| Measure | Nottingham | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 7.05 | 1.94 | 3rd of 35 |
| Operator licences | 94 | 27 | 6th of 34 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 23 | 4 | 1st of 34 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 10% | 3rd of 33 |
What does the Nottingham market look like for an operator?
Nottingham's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 8% taxis, 92% private hire of 2,333 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 23 PHVs per operator on average (2,156 across 94 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (2,779 for 2,333).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 11 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Nottingham differ from other councils?
6 departures from the usual rules in Nottingham's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis face both an age limit and an emission standard and private hire vehicles an age limit.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Nottingham limits hackney carriage licences (177 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Nottingham taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Nottingham private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No English test for Nottingham drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Fewer booking details required: Nottingham asks operators to record 11 of the 12 details councils ask for, leaving out date of pick-up.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Nottingham's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Nottingham grant?
22 new, 3 renewed; 94 in force (50 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Nottingham?
94 at 1 April 2026, 50 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] Nottingham City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
