IS THERE LIGHT AT THE END OF TUNNEL? Taxi driver totals plunge by almost 9,000 in London over ten years
- Perry Richardson
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The number of licensed taxi drivers and vehicles operating in London has continued its long-term decline, according to the latest Transport for London (TfL) licensing figures, despite signs the market may be reaching a more stable position after years of contraction.
Figures for the week ending 3 May 2026 show there were 15,938 licensed taxi drivers in the capital, down by four compared with the previous week. TfL issued eight new taxi driver licences during the reporting period.
The latest figures represent a significant reduction from historic highs seen more than a decade ago. Annual data shows London had 25,538 licensed taxi drivers in 2013/14 before numbers steadily declined year after year. By 2024/25, total licensed taxi drivers had fallen to 16,676.
The decline has accelerated since the pandemic period, when changing travel patterns, rising vehicle costs and an ageing workforce added pressure to the trade. Between 2019/20 and 2020/21 alone, the number of licensed taxi drivers fell from 22,337 to 20,786. The market has continued shrinking since, although at a slower rate across the past two years.
TfL figures show black cab driver and vehicle totals remain under pressure, although the majority of licensed taxis are now zero emission capable
Taxi vehicle numbers have followed a similar trajectory. TfL recorded 13,676 licensed taxis in the latest weekly update, a fall of 14 on the previous week, with four new vehicle licences issued.
Historical licensing data shows London’s taxi fleet stood above 23,000 vehicles during the early 2010s before entering a prolonged decline. Vehicle numbers dropped sharply during and after the pandemic period, falling from 18,504 in 2019/20 to 13,461 in 2020/21. By 2024/25, the total had edged slightly higher to 14,570, suggesting the market may now be stabilising at a lower operating level.
One of the clearest shifts within the sector has been the rapid adoption of zero emission capable taxis. TfL’s latest figures show 9,505 licensed taxis are now zero emission capable, meaning around seven in 10 black cabs currently licensed meet the cleaner vehicle standard.
The transition towards cleaner vehicles has become a defining feature of the modern taxi market since TfL introduced new emissions requirements for newly licensed taxis. However, drivers continue to face high upfront vehicle costs alongside wider operating pressures linked to insurance, financing and reduced driver recruitment.
The gap between driver and vehicle numbers compared with pre-pandemic levels also reflects changing working patterns within the trade. Industry figures have repeatedly raised concerns around recruitment, particularly among younger drivers, as some argue that the Knowledge qualification process and licensing costs continue to act as barriers to entry. In the last 12 month the number of Knowledge applicants has risen due to a renewed 6,000 long point list testing structure and investment made by trade associations to promote the job as a taxi driver.
Despite the overall decline, the black cab sector remains a central part of London’s transport network, particularly for accessibility services, rail station ranks and central London street hails. The latest figures suggest the market’s period of steep contraction may now be slowing, although licensing levels remain well below historic norms.
