Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in York?
The biggest change since April 2024 is in private hire vehicles: 433 then, 392 now. With 2.78 licensed vehicles per 1,000 residents, York sits below the England figure of 5.84. 29% of its taxis are wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 183 | 189 | up 3% |
| Private hire vehicles | 433 | 392 | down 9% |
| Driver licences | 714 | 665 | down 7% |
| Operator licences | 46 | 53 | up 15% |
How does licensing in York differ from other councils?
York differs from most councils on 2 points in its 2026 return to the DfT. On vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard.[1]
- Taxi numbers capped: York limits hackney carriage licences (189 in April 2026); about 1 in 4 councils do.
- Policy last updated: 2024, by York's own account to the DfT.
What did York report about operator licences?
7 new York operator applications, 46 renewals, with 53 operator licences in force on 1 April 2026, in City of York Council's 2026 return to the DfT. See what York operators must record.[1]
How much does a taxi licence cost in York?
From City of York Council's fee page, read 02/11/2026.[3]
| Licence or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver licence (3 years): application + grant | £190 + £190 |
| Driver licence renewal (3 years) | £282 |
| Private hire vehicle: new / renewal | £280 / £214 |
| Hackney carriage vehicle: new / renewal | £318 / £241 |
| Operator (5 years): 1-10 / 11-50 / 51-90 / 91+ vehicles | £236 / £497 / £820 / £1,067 |
| Vehicle inspection / retest | £85 / £42.50 |
| DBS disclosure (external) + council admin | £49.50 + £25 |
City of York Council fees page, read 2 November 2026. Fees are reviewed every year and usually change on 1 April.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a York driver licence?
Driver licence (3 years): application + grant: £190 + £190, according to City of York Council's fee page when we read it.
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] Department for Transport: Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026, data tables TAXI0104, TAXI0105 and TAXI0108-TAXI0112 (figures at 1 April 2026) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] City of York Council: Taxi licensing fees and charges (read 2 Nov 2026)
Related
- Taxi licence costs across UK councils
- Private hire operator licence explained
- Taxi knowledge test: what councils test
- Hackney carriage vs private hire: what is the difference?
- How long does it take to get a taxi licence?
- Taxi and private hire licensing in Wolverhampton
- Taxi and private hire licensing in London