Licence to Drive a Private Hire Car
Important Information - Is your licensed vehicle compliant?
A Private Hire Car Driver's Licence permits an individual to operate any Private Hire Car licensed by this Authority.
On 26 April 2023 the Licensing and Regulatory Committee introduced an Overprovision Policy for the grant of Private Hire Car Licences.
If you also intend to apply for the grant of a Private Hire Car Licence please ensure you read the policy prior to submitting the application.
SCQF Level 5 Certification
From 1 January 2020 no private hire car driver or taxi driver grant applications will be accepted by the Licensing Authority without the Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Car Driver at SCQF Level 5.
Following the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee on the 21 April 2021, the committee agreed to implement the Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver at SCQF level 5 as a requirement for the renewal of a taxi driver's licence and private hire car driver's licence with effect from 1st January 2022.
Please note that any drivers who have a taxi driver licence or private hire car driver's licence with an expiry date on or after the 1 January 2022, irrespective of when you lodge your application, must have completed the training for your application to be accepted.
Information on training providers for this course can be found at SQA Website or by contacting the SQA on 0345 279 1000.
Tax Conditionality - Changes from 2 October 2023 for Applicants
The UK Government has created tax requirements for applications of particular licences across the UK. The rules for completing a tax check changed on 2 October 2023 in Scotland. The new rules have already been implemented in England and Wales from 4 April 2022. Tax checks will be required for a taxi driver's licence.
The table below details when a tax check should be carried out prior to lodging an application and when confirmation of being aware of the HMRC guidance relating to tax checks is sufficient.
Please note that all renewal applications require the applicant to provide a 9 character tax code on the application form. Renewal applications will not be accepted by the Licensing Authority without an applicant's 9 character tax code provided by HMRC. The tax code provided from HMRC is valid for 120 days so please ensure when submitting a renewal application that a valid tax code is provided on the application. To complete a tax check click here.
For most grant applications, an applicant will be required to confirm they are aware of their HMRC tax obligations when submitting an application however, there may be circumstances (see table below) when a 9 character tax code will be required.
To find out more information about your tax registration obligations please visit:
| Type | Code Checker |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Tax Check and 9 character code provided with application |
| New Grant - application where last licence expired/revoked less than 1 year from date of new application | Tax Check and 9 character code provided with application |
| New Grant - (and holds same type of licence with another licensing authority) | Tax Check and 9 character code provided with application |
| New Grant - and never held same type of licence before | Applicant must confirm on application form aware of HMRC guidance relating to tax obligations |
| New Grant - and previously held licence that expired/revoked over a year ago from date of new application | Applicant must confirm on application form aware of HMRC guidance relating to tax obligations |
How do I apply?
Read our guidance notes for information on the application process including details of:
- How to lodge an application
- Supporting documents required
- How the application will be processed
- The time it will take to get a decision
- What to do if you are unhappy with the decision
How much will it cost?
Please refer to our Fees and Charges for details of the current fees and accepted payment methods.
The application will not be accepted without the correct fee.
How to make Payment
Applications can only be lodged online and preferred payment should be made by BACS Transfer (electronic banking) to the Licensing Board Account.
When making payments please quote your licence reference number if you are a current licence holder or provide your Surname/Postcode if you are a new licence holder as detailed below:-
Account Name: Glasgow City Council - Licensing
Account No. 00116224
Sort Code: 83-44-00
Reference: PD xxxxx or Surname/Postcode e.g Smith/G1 1DU
Please note that your application will not be formally lodged until payment has been received. The fees are non-refundable.
Can someone object to an application?
Any person can make an objection or representation against a grant or renewal application during the 28 day consultation period.
Read our Guidance on Making an Objection or Representation for more information.
How do I apply for a Mobility Assistance Exemption Certificate?
If you are a licensed private hire car driver (or licensed taxi driver - on the taxi driver page) and wish to apply for an exemption from carrying out your mobility assistance duties under the Equality Act 2010 you can do so below.
Please note that if you are the driver of a wheelchair accessible vehicle the mobility assistance duties you can apply to be exempt from are defined by legislation and are as follows:
(a) to enable the passenger to get into or out of the vehicle; (b) if the passenger wishes to remain in the wheelchair, to enable the passenger to get into and out of the vehicle while in the wheelchair; (c) to load the passenger's luggage or mobility aids into or out of the vehicle; (d) if the passenger does not wish to remain in the wheelchair, to load the wheelchair into or out of the vehicle.
Please note that if you are the driver of a non-wheelchair accessible vehicle the mobility assistance duties you can apply to be exempt from are defined by legislation and are as follows:(a) to enable the passenger to get into or out of the vehicle; (b) to load the passenger's luggage, wheelchair or mobility aids into or out of the vehicle.
The Licensing Authority will send you for a medical assessment to its medical provider on receipt of your application. You will not be exempt from the above duties until the Licensing Authority confirms this to you.
You can submit an exemption application here.
How do I apply for an Exemption from Carrying an Assistance Dog?
If you are a licensed private hire car driver (or licensed taxi driver - on the taxi driver page) and wish to apply for an exemption from carrying an assistance dog in your vehicle under the Equality Act 2010, you can do so by following the instructions below:
Please email licensingenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk providing your reference number, full name, address and date of birth. You also must attach a letter from your GP, confirming the reason why you are unable to carry an assistance dog in your vehicle. Please put Request for Exemption from Carrying an Assistance Dog as the subject heading in your email.
If your request for an exemption is granted, you will receive a certificate to confirm this, which you must display in your vehicle. You will not be exempt from carrying an assistance dog until the Licensing Authority confirms this to you.
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- Right to Work
- Licensing Committee Privacy Statement
- Overprovision Policy for Private Hire Car Licence
- Guidance for Taxi Driver and Private Hire Car Driver's Licence
- Taxi Driver's or Private Hire Car Driver's Licence Conditions
- Taxi Driver's or Private Hire Car Driver's Licence Conditions - (attached to all licences granted by the Licensing Authority from 1 October 2024)
- Licensing FAQs
- Low Emission Zones
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