HUGE RISE: TfL grants 701 new private hire driver licences in a SINGLE WEEK as London fleet continues to expand
- Perry Richardson
- 23 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) has issued 701 new private hire driver licences in the space of a single week, according to its latest licensing statistics, highlighting the continued expansion of London’s private hire sector despite ongoing concerns about driver earnings and market saturation.
The figures, covering the week ending 26 July 2026, show the total number of licensed private hire drivers rose by 595 to 111,263. During the same period, TfL also granted 479 new private hire vehicle licences, taking the total number of licensed PHVs in the capital to 93,884. Private hire operator numbers also edged higher, with four new operator licences issued and the total rising to 1,862.
The scale of weekly PHV licensing continues to stand in stark contrast to the taxi sector. TfL issued just one new taxi driver licence and one new taxi vehicle licence during the same reporting period. Taxi driver numbers fell by 22 to 15,820, while licensed taxi vehicles declined by 12 to 13,530.
The latest figures reinforce the widening gap between London’s two licensed sectors. There are now more than seven private hire drivers for every licensed taxi driver in the capital. For taxi drivers, the continued decline in licence numbers reflects long-running challenges including high vehicle costs, an ageing workforce and lower levels of new entrants into the profession compared to those retiring from the role.
For private hire drivers, however, rising licence numbers do not necessarily translate into stronger earning opportunities. Every additional licensed driver increases competition for the same pool of passenger demand unless journey volumes rise at a similar pace. Drivers working through app-based platforms may therefore face longer waiting times between jobs and lower utilisation rates.
The increase also raises broader questions about market capacity. Industry representatives have repeatedly argued that London already has a substantial private hire fleet, with concerns that continued licensing growth risks oversupply. More vehicles competing for fares can contribute to congestion, particularly during quieter trading periods, while making it more difficult for both new and existing drivers to earn sustainable incomes.
For the taxi trade, the figures add to concerns about the long-term balance of London’s licensed transport market. While black cabs continue to provide a regulated, wheelchair accessible service with access to ranks and street hails, the shrinking number of drivers and vehicles contrasts sharply with continued expansion in the private hire sector.
The latest statistics are likely to add momentum to ongoing debates over whether London needs a more strategic approach to licensing across both sectors. With more than 111,000 licensed private hire drivers now operating in the capital, industry stakeholders are expected to continue questioning whether demand is keeping pace with supply and what the implications are for driver livelihoods, passenger service standards and the future shape of London’s licensed transport market.
