What is the busiest taxi city in the UK?

London is by far the city with the largest number of taxis, with over 25,000 licensed taxis operating in the city.



London remains the undisputed busiest taxi city in the UK in 2026. The capital's unique landscape, characterized by the iconic "Black Cabs" and a massive fleet of private hire vehicles like Uber, handles millions of journeys annually. The city’s density, combined with the difficulty of driving private cars due to the Congestion Charge and ULEZ, makes taxis a premier choice for both locals and tourists. London's cab drivers are world-famous for completing "The Knowledge," a grueling multi-year training process requiring them to memorize 25,000 streets and thousands of landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross. In 2026, London is also a primary hub for the rollout of autonomous "robotaxis," with companies like Waymo launching passenger services. Other major UK hubs like Manchester and Birmingham follow in taxi volume, but London’s sheer scale and the integration of taxis into its heritage keep it at the top of the list.

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Post Covid, the Licensed Private Car Hire Association (LPHCA) estimates that the UK's taxi and private hire industry is suffering a shortfall of 160,000 drivers – down from the 300,000-strong workforce pre-pandemic.

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Uber tops the list as the largest taxi and limousine company globally, with a 12.75% market share, according to the latest research from The Business Research Company.

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Travel Fact: Mexico City is home to the largest taxi cab fleet in the world. Travel Fact: Mexico City is home to the largest taxi cab fleet in the world.

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Do Make Money as a Taxi Driver in the UK a Good Living? On average, taxi drivers in the United Kingdom earn between £20,000 and £30,000 per year. On average, taxi drivers in the United Kingdom earn between £9 and £15 per hour. However, the rate may increase on certain days, such as bank holidays and Saturday evenings.

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According to the National Careers Service, an experienced taxi driver working around 40 hours a week might expect to make around £30,000 per year. As a one-person business, it's largely down to you. If you're prepared to put in the hours and work at anti-social times, your profits could soar.

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The Checker Taxicab, particularly the 1959–82 Checker A series sedans, remain the most famous taxicab vehicles in the United States. The vehicle is comparable to the London Taxi with its iconic, internationally renowned styling, which went largely unchanged from 1959 to keep production costs down.

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The most popular type of taxis in the UK are black cabs, which are the iconic London cabs that can be found in cities throughout the country. Hackney carriages, or 'mini cabs', are also a popular type of taxi, which are often more affordable than black cabs.

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It's easier to handle and manage cash compared to other modes of payment. Cash payments are immediate and there is no need to wait for the payment to be processed. Some taxi drivers may prefer cash payments to avoid paying fees associated with card payments.

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To become a taxi driver, it usually takes between 12 and 16 weeks if you apply directly to your local authority. If you decide to take a college course before applying for your taxi driver's licence, you're usually looking at a couple of days to complete a Level 2 NVQ.

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You may choose to purchase new or used vehicles or lease your vehicles on a monthly basis. The costs can vary considerably, depending on the number of vehicles you require. You can expect to pay between £10,000 and £60,000 per car, depending on the age, make and specification.

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Google Maps As a cabbie, Google Maps is probably your best friend for navigating the quickest routes to pick-up and drop-off points.

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