Updated August 7, 2023
Currently, there are 3,250 "medallions" or permits, owned by 16 operators spread across the Las Vegas Valley. This is down from 3,430 in 2016, but up from 2,410 in December 2013. Upwards of 10,000 cab drivers serve the valley. By comparison, Mexico City has 140,000 cabs and 210,000 drivers, the largest fleet of taxis in the world.
Some operators are limited by time, day, and geographic restrictions as to where drivers may pick up. For example, all 3,250 cabs are permitted to pick up passengers on the Strip and at Reid International. As an aside, the worst days to catch a cab at the airport are during the annual Consumer Electronics Show in January, with 15,000 daily trips recorded during CES.
During peak times, such as major holiday weekends, enormous conventions, and huge one-off sporting events, the number of medallions is sometimes supplemented with additional temporary permits to cater to higher-than-usual demand.