London Taxi Driver Numbers Continue to Decline Despite Rise in New Applicants

The number of licensed taxi drivers in London has continued to decrease over the past year, even as more people show interest in joining the trade.

Latest figures from Transport for London (TfL) show there are 15,978 licensed drivers as of April 2026, continuing a downward trend seen in recent years. Weekly data indicates a further net loss of 26 drivers, with only one new licence issued during the most recent reporting period. Of those currently licensed, 14,468 hold All London licences, while 1,534 are authorised to operate in suburban areas.

Looking at the longer-term picture, the decline is even more pronounced. In 2009/10, London had nearly 25,000 licensed taxi drivers. By 2024/25, that number had dropped to 16,676 — a reduction of more than 8,000 over 15 years. The sharpest decreases occurred during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, with numbers falling significantly and continuing to decline steadily מאז.

While driver numbers are falling, there has been a slight increase in the number of licensed taxis. The total now stands at 13,732 vehicles, up by 19 in the latest weekly figures. However, this is still far below the levels seen in the early 2010s, when more than 22,000 taxis were in operation. The difference between vehicle and driver figures suggests some stability in fleet investment, but not in workforce levels.

A key factor behind the slow recovery in driver numbers is the lengthy qualification process. Becoming a licensed London taxi driver requires completing the “Knowledge of London,” a process that can take two years or more. Although more applicants have entered the system recently, the time required to qualify means that any increase in driver numbers will take time to materialise.

This delay continues to create challenges for the industry. Fewer drivers can lead to longer waiting times for passengers, reduced service availability, and pressure on the network, particularly during busy periods or in less central areas.

The figures also highlight ongoing concerns about the long-term sustainability of the trade. While increased applications suggest renewed interest, the number of drivers leaving or retiring still exceeds those qualifying. Without a consistent rise in successful completions of the Knowledge, any recovery is likely to be gradual.

Overall, the data points to the need for a balanced approach — attracting new entrants while also supporting them through the qualification process and retaining experienced drivers — if the downward trend is to be reversed.