Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Tameside?
900 vehicles in 2026 against 807 in 2024: taxis 135 → 91, private hire 672 → 809; 3.76 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 135 | 91 | down 33% |
| Private hire vehicles | 672 | 809 | up 20% |
| Driver licences | 912 | 1,086 | up 19% |
| Operator licences | 33 | 45 | up 36% |
How does Tameside compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Tameside ranks 16th of 35 for vehicles per head (3.76 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 18th for operators (45, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Tameside | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.76 | 3.73 | 16th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 45 | 45 | 18th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 18 | 9 | 11th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 11th of 35 |
What does the Tameside market look like for an operator?
Tameside's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 10% taxis, 90% private hire of 900 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 18 PHVs per operator on average (809 across 45 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (1,086 for 900).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 729 PHV-only, 57 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 Tameside differ from other councils?
4 departures from the usual rules in Tameside'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: Tameside limits hackney carriage licences (91 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- DBS Update Service optional for Tameside drivers; about 86% of councils make it compulsory.
- No convictions policy required of Tameside operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Tameside's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Tameside grant?
10 new, 35 renewed; 45 in force (33 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Tameside?
45 at 1 April 2026, 33 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] Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
