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Car Licence Statistics in London, England
The NimbleFins data experts analysed data from the Department for Transport to discover how car ownership in different boroughs of London has changed in the past five years. Areas where there are more licenced cars can struggle with heavier congestion during rush hour and school run, and leave residents unable to find parking. See how London compares to other regions in England in our article Roads Feel More Congested Than Ever? Worst Postcodes Revealed.
In the five years ending in 2023, the number of cars in London actually DECREASED—from 2,674,325 to 2,598,957, a drop of 75,000 vehicles. This fall represents a 2.8% decrease, which is actually the smallest percentage increase in England over this five year period.
| Car License Stats for London | |
|---|---|
| Cars in Q3 2018 | 2,674,325 |
| Cars in Q3 2023 | 2,598,957 |
| Change | -75,368 |
| % Change | -2.8% |
The number of cars in the West Midlands also decreased (-5.1%) but everywhere else in Great Britain, the number of cars increased over the past 5-year period.
Areas of London with a Big Change in the Number of Cars
Only 4 boroughs saw an increase in the number of cars: Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Barking and Dagenham and Tower Hamlets.
Westminster had the biggest raw increase in licensed cars in the five years ending Q3 2023, rising by 7,812 from 50,370 to 28,182. Westminster also had the largest percentage increase in the number of cars: 15.5% over this 5-year period.
Hammersmith and Fulham had the second largest bump in car numbers, rising by 2,557 vehicles to a total of 45,407 in 2023, a percentage rise of 6%.
The other 29 boroughs saw a DECREASE in the number of cars. Bromley had the biggest drop, from 149,414 to 142,786 over 5 years, a decrease of 4.4%. While Bromley had the biggest decline in number of cars, Camden saw the biggest percentage decrease in cars: a decline of 11.8% bringing the number of cars down to 39,391 heading into 2024.
- Biggest numeric increase in cars: Westminster (up 7,812)
- Biggest percentage increase in cars: Westminster (up 15.5%)
- Biggest number drop in cars: Bromley (down 6,628)
- Biggest percentage drop in cars: Camden (down 11.8%)
Car License Stats for All London Boroughs
The data below shows car license data for all London, England boroughs. Displayed are the number of licensed cars heading into 2024, and the absolute and percentage changes over a 5-year time period. Boroughs are ordered according to the raw increase or decrease in number of registered cars. Lookup your area to see how it compares.
| London Borough | Number of Licensed Cars (2023 Q3) | 5 year change | % change 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | 58,182 | 7,812 | 15.5% |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 45,407 | 2,557 | 6.0% |
| Barking and Dagenham | 64,919 | 1,114 | 1.7% |
| Tower Hamlets | 45,202 | 827 | 1.9% |
| City of London | 2,377 | -79 | -3.2% |
| Hackney | 40,618 | -1,102 | -2.6% |
| Haringey | 60,922 | -1,130 | -1.8% |
| Brent | 91,080 | -1,467 | -1.6% |
| Bexley | 103,696 | -2,080 | -2.0% |
| Islington | 33,677 | -2,083 | -5.8% |
| Southwark | 55,508 | -2,187 | -3.8% |
| Newham | 68,103 | -2,190 | -3.1% |
| Greenwich | 76,388 | -2,323 | -3.0% |
| Richmond upon Thames | 75,021 | -2,483 | -3.2% |
| Ealing | 114,402 | -2,495 | -2.1% |
| Kingston upon Thames | 63,341 | -2,651 | -4.0% |
| Waltham Forest | 75,598 | -2,997 | -3.8% |
| Enfield | 116,803 | -3,159 | -2.6% |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 38,229 | -3,191 | -7.7% |
| Redbridge | 102,200 | -3,242 | -3.1% |
| Sutton | 84,336 | -3,332 | -3.8% |
| Hounslow | 93,996 | -3,443 | -3.5% |
| Barnet | 139,409 | -3,494 | -2.4% |
| Merton | 68,683 | -3,552 | -4.9% |
| Havering | 112,238 | -3,553 | -3.1% |
| Lambeth | 60,473 | -3,697 | -5.8% |
| Wandsworth | 76,485 | -3,830 | -4.8% |
| Lewisham | 73,577 | -3,856 | -5.0% |
| Harrow | 96,637 | -3,924 | -3.9% |
| Hillingdon | 139,602 | -5,135 | -3.5% |
| Camden | 39,391 | -5,247 | -11.8% |
| Croydon | 135,627 | -5,966 | -4.2% |
| Bromley | 142,786 | -6,628 | -4.4% |
| Inner London | 698,151 | -17,396 | -2.4% |
| Outer London | 1,896,762 | -60,810 | -3.1% |
| London | 2,598,957 | -75,368 | -2.8% |
Car Licence Stats for All Regions in England
If you'd like to see the details for other regions near you, here are the studies for other regions in England: