Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Oldham?
2,882 vehicles in 2026 against 1,396 in 2024: taxis 85 → 82, private hire 1,311 → 2,800; 11.46 per 1,000 residents; 13% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 85 | 82 | down 4% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,311 | 2,800 | up 114% |
| Driver licences | 2,154 | 4,768 | up 121% |
| Operator licences | 72 | 119 | up 65% |
How does Oldham compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Oldham ranks 3rd of 35 for vehicles per head (11.46 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 3rd for operators (119, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Oldham | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 11.46 | 3.73 | 3rd of 35 |
| Operator licences | 119 | 45 | 3rd of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 24 | 9 | 7th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 13% | 32% | 29th of 35 |
What does the Oldham market look like for an operator?
Oldham's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 3% taxis, 97% private hire of 2,882 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 24 PHVs per operator on average (2,800 across 119 licences).
- 1.7 drivers per vehicle (4,768 for 2,882): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Oldham differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Oldham's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Oldham limits hackney carriage licences (82 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Oldham taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Oldham private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- No English test for Oldham drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Oldham's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Oldham grant?
54 new, 28 renewed; 119 in force (72 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Oldham?
119 at 1 April 2026, 72 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] Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
