Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Wakefield?
1,360 vehicles in 2026 against 1,191 in 2024: taxis 110 → 102, private hire 1,081 → 1,258; 3.7 per 1,000 residents; 25% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 110 | 102 | down 7% |
| Private hire vehicles | 1,081 | 1,258 | up 16% |
| Driver licences | 1,721 | 1,915 | up 11% |
| Operator licences | 65 | 70 | up 8% |
How does Wakefield compare with other councils in Yorkshire and the Humber?
Among councils in Yorkshire and the Humber, Wakefield ranks 8th of 15 for vehicles per head (3.7 per 1,000, median 3.7). It ranks 11th for operators (70, median 86).[1]
| Measure | Wakefield | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.7 | 3.7 | 8th of 15 |
| Operator licences | 70 | 86 | 11th of 15 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 18 | 10 | 5th of 15 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 25% | 25% | 8th of 15 |
What does the Wakefield market look like for an operator?
Wakefield's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 8% taxis, 92% private hire of 1,360 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 18 PHVs per operator on average (1,258 across 70 licences).
- 1.4 drivers per vehicle (1,915 for 1,360): shared or double-shifted cars.
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 1,394 PHV-only, 297 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 Wakefield differ from other councils?
7 departures from the usual rules in Wakefield'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: Wakefield limits hackney carriage licences (102 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Two tests for Wakefield taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Wakefield private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- No English test for Wakefield drivers, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- No disability awareness course for Wakefield private hire drivers; about 71% of councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Wakefield operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Wakefield's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Wakefield grant?
18 new, 20 renewed; 70 in force (65 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Wakefield?
70 at 1 April 2026, 65 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] Wakefield Metropolitan District Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
