Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Sunderland?
824 vehicles in 2026 against 776 in 2024: taxis 321 → 295, private hire 455 → 529; 2.86 per 1,000 residents; 42% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 321 | 295 | down 8% |
| Private hire vehicles | 455 | 529 | up 16% |
| Driver licences | 1,139 | 1,233 | up 8% |
| Operator licences | 19 | 24 | up 26% |
How does Sunderland compare with other councils in the North East?
Among councils in the North East, Sunderland ranks 6th of 12 for vehicles per head (2.86 per 1,000, median 2.65). It ranks 8th for operators (24, median 30).[1]
| Measure | Sunderland | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.86 | 2.65 | 6th of 12 |
| Operator licences | 24 | 30 | 8th of 12 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 22 | 16 | 5th of 12 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 42% | 13% | 1st of 12 |
What does the Sunderland market look like for an operator?
Sunderland's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 36% taxis, 64% private hire of 824 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 22 PHVs per operator on average (529 across 24 licences).
- 1.5 drivers per vehicle (1,233 for 824): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 746 PHV-only, 487 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 Sunderland differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Sunderland's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: Sunderland limits hackney carriage licences (295 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Sunderland taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Sunderland private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2023, by Sunderland's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Sunderland grant?
5 new, 11 renewed; 24 in force (19 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Sunderland?
24 at 1 April 2026, 19 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] Sunderland City Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
