Taxi/private hire car driver's licence

How to apply

Please note the Licensing Authority is under a statutory duty not to issue licences to people who are disqualified by their immigration status from holding them. You are required to provide evidence of your right to be in the UK and to undertake work as a taxi or private hire car driver.

You will need to make an appointment to attend our Fleet services office in person to have your evidence checked. There will be a fee payable for this. Your application should have already been submitted online. Only original documents can be accepted for example a passport; a current Biometric Residence Permit; a Permanent Residence Card. We will copy your document(s) to keep with your application.

A UK driving licence is not evidence of your right to live and work in the UK.

How the application is dealt with

There is a 28 day objection period. A copy of your application is sent to Police Scotland for any comments or objections.

If you haven't had an acknowledgement from us within 28 days please contact the Licensing and registration services and we will let you know about your application's progress.

You must bring proof of identification when you collect your documents. 

If someone else is collecting them for you, they must bring photographic proof of their identification and something in writing from you stating that you give your permission. This must be signed by you and give the details of the person who is collecting your documents. The signature on the letter will be compared with the signature on the application form. We will not accept an email.

The Immigration Act 2016 (the 2016 Act) amended existing licensing regimes in the UK to seek to prevent illegal working in the private hire car and taxi sector. The provisions in the 2016 Act prohibit all licensing authorities from issuing licences to anyone who is disqualified by reason of their immigration status and they discharge this duty by conducting immigration checks. If you are applying for a new grant of a taxi/private hire car driver licence you will require to make an appointment to attend the office in person to have your immigration status checked by phoning 01698 717728. There is an additional cost of £10.60. If you are applying for renewal of your current taxi/private hire car driver licence and an immigration status check is required the additional £10.60 cost will need to be paid. You will be notified should an immigration check be required.

New grant of taxi and private hire car drivers

You must pass a route test to hold a taxi or private hire car driver's licence. Once you have applied for your taxi or private hire car driver's licence you can book an appointment to sit the route test.

All applicants for new grant of taxi or private hire car driver's licences must attend and complete a council run training course within six months of the application being granted. There is an additional cost of £5.

How much does it cost?

• taxi driver/ private hire car driver new grant - £187.62 (includes awareness course and immigration check)
• taxi driver /private hire car driver renewal - £171.72

If you have any questions please contact the Licensing office at Fleet Services, Blantyre