Taxi Vehicle Licences

Taxis and private hire cars and the door to door service they provide are essential for people with disabilities. They are a key mode of transport for people who are blind and partially sighted, who are unable to drive and often face barriers when using public transport.

Service providers, including transport providers, have a duty under equality legislation to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. And of course, providing such support also represents good customer service.

Guide Dogs Scotland have written guidance for taxi and private hire drivers to make them feel confident when helping passengers with sight loss Guide Dogs Scotland Taxi and PHC Guidance [89KB]

• Citroen Dispatch (short and long wheelbase 3000mm and 3122mm) (body length 4805mm and 5135mm)
• Citroen Dispatch Panel/Window Van (manufactured before 2007 registration date)
• Citroen Relay 3000mm and 3450 wheelbase panel van/window van
• Fiat Scudo (short and long wheelbase)
• Fiat Scudo Panel/Window Van (wheelbase 3000mm and 3122mm body length 4805mm and 5135mm)
• Fiat Scudo Panel/Window Van (manufactured before 2007 registration date)
• Fiat TW200 (short or long wheel base model only)
• Fiat Ducato 3000mm and 3450mm wheelbase panel van/window van
• Ford Transit (short wheel base model only)
• LTI TX2 M5, LTI TX2 A5, LTI TX4 M5 and LTI TX4 A5
• Mercedes M8 (medium wheel base model only)
• Mercedes Vito 4748mm wheelbase 2148cc 116hp
• Peugeot E7 (short wheel base)
• Peugeot E7 (long body - wheelbase 3122mm body length 5135mm)
• Peugeot Expert MK 3 (short and long body) (wheelbase 3000mm and 3122 mm body length 4805mm and 5135mm)
• Peugeot Expert Classic Panel/Window Van MK2 (manufactured before 2007 registration date)
• Renault Traffic (short wheel base model only)
• Vauxhall Movano and Vauxhall Vivaro (short wheel base model only)
• Volkswagen Transporter and Volkswagen Caravelle (short wheel base model only)
• Ford ProCab
• Hybrid/electric TX (LEVC TX)

The Chief Solicitor has power to add additional vehicles to the above list on an annual basis. Requests to consider adding additional vehicles can be approved using delegated powers as long as the vehicle meets the accessibility standard contained in Schedule A of the council's hire car conditions which can be viewed in the downloads section of this page.

The vehicle must hold low volume type approval or such equivalent amended certification as issued by the Vehicle Certification Agency or its successors and must comply in all respects with the requirements of all Acts and Regulations relating to motor vehicles.

Taxis must be capable of being licensed to carry between 5 and 7 passengers. The decision of the Cab Inspector as to the appropriate number of passengers for the vehicle to be licensed to carry shall be final following inspection of the vehicle and consideration of safety and luggage requirements.

There is no age limit in relation to vehicles.

You can apply to licence a vehicle which is not on the Council's approved list of taxis. However, you need to include with your application a letter providing reasons why you believe the Council should consider departing from its policy in your case. If your request is based on medical grounds you should include with your application a medical report supporting your application for a particular type of vehicle which the Council is obliged to consider as a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010. All applications to licence vehicles which are not on the approved list will be referred to the Licensing Committee for determination and can be expected to take several months to be determined as additional reports will need to be obtained. As with all licensing applications, if your application is refused no refund of the fee will be given.

If your vehicle has been previously considered a write off, in line with guidance from TEC, only vehicles that are categorised as N or S can be considered. Categories A and B should not be repaired and would not be considered suitable for licensing.

If you intend requesting that a category N or S vehicle be presented for licensing you would also require to submit a copy of the insurance company report which gives details why the vehicle had been classified as a write-off and a copy of the repairer's invoice. This will allow TEC to check what was required to repair the vehicle and what repairs were completed. If the vehicle has had extensive repair work carried out TEC may also ask for an independent engineer's report. If there is no insurance or repairers' paperwork then an independent engineers report would normally suffice, all documents would be subject to scrutiny by the TEC.

You can download a copy of the most recent version of the application form which can be found in the downloads section at the bottom of this page and you should save that to the device you are using (for example your phone, tablet or PC). You can complete the form by typing the information into the boxes on the form and you must sign the form to confirm that the information is correct, you can do that by typing your name in the declaration section of the form as the council accepts this as a signature. You should then check that the form has been fully completed and email it to licensingservices@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window) You will receive an emailed acknowledgement if it has been successfully delivered.

On completing the application form you have also confirmed that you have read and understood the conditions that apply to a taxi vehicle, and to prevent any delays with vehicle testing you should pay particular attention to Schedule A of the conditions as they give details of the condition of fitness that a vehicle must meet when it is presented for test.

Once your form and documents have been checked by the Licensing Team you will be emailed with information about how to make an online payment of the fee, details of fees can be found in the downloads section of this page however you will be advised by the licensing team of the correct amount and given a reference number which you must use when making the payment.

All applications for hire car licences are copied to the Cab Inspector at the Taxi Examination Centre. Mandatory background checks will be carried out on all applicants by Police Scotland and applicants' details will be retained on computer.

If you have are unable to make an application using this preferred method please email the licensing team.

Please note that applications cannot be submitted at the Civic Centre or at Arrochar House.

For information on how to make a renewal application please access our renewal webpage Applications for Renewal of Taxi and Private Hire Car Vehicle Licences Fees are payable by debit or credit card and customers must supply an email address.

Please note that renewal applications must continue to be submitted prior to the expiry of licences to enable the licence to continue in effect after the date of expiry and whilst the renewal application is processed and determined. Therefore, all licence holders should be aware that failure to lodge timeous renewal applications results in the licence ceasing to have effect on its date of expiry. The licensing team will send an email to remind you of when your licence is due to expire, however this is a courtesy and the onus is on you as the licence holder to make a renewal application prior to the expiry of a licence.

The council has a very limited power to treat late applications for renewal as being made on time if they are submitted within 28 days after the expiry date of the licence but this power can only be exercised if good cause is shown why the application was not made on time.

If you want to apply to renew a licence within 28 days of its expiry date you can still make the application as noted above and you must also upload a letter or give details by email explaining why your application is being lodged late. Late applications are considered by the Chief Solicitor and the licence remains expired until a decision has been made by the Chief Solicitor whether good cause has been shown to accept the late application as a renewal.

Subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all unspent convictions, fixed penalties and alternatives to prosecution must be declared including all breaches of road traffic law and you can find further information on that by using this link Scottish Government Guidance on Disclosure of Convictions which takes you to guidance from the Scottish Government regarding the disclosure of convictions, including spent convictions or alternatives to prosecution.

If you have previous convictions and have doubts as to which offences are spent you may wish to seek legal advice before completing an application.

If you are a current licence holder and you are charged with any crime or offence, or are issued with a fixed penalty or an alternative to prosecution (including all breaches of road traffic law) you should contact the Licensing Team immediately to provide us with details of the offence.

All vehicles are tested at the Taxi Examination Centre, Murrayburn Road, Edinburgh and for the avoidance of doubt like all of the hire car conditions of fitness a vehicle must comply with these conditions to the satisfaction of the Cab Inspector.

TEC can be contacted by email TEC (opens new window)

Once a vehicle passes an inspection you will be issued with a Certificate of Compliance and licence plates. However, you should note that MOT certificates are not routinely issued in paper format and if you require a copy of your MOT you can access it from the gov.uk website or alternatively you can request a printed copy from TEC.

We have nine months in which to determine your application however the majority of renewal applications are determined within 60 days. Applications for new licences take longer to be determined as the vehicles have to be allocated a test date by the Taxi Examination Centre.

After a successful test a certificate of compliance for the vehicle will be issued by the Taxi Examination Centre. The Taxi Examination Centre will then advise the Licensing Team of this and following that the licence can be granted under delegated powers. Once the licence has been granted you will be contacted so you can arrange to attend at the Taxi Examination Centre to collect the vehicle licence plates to allow you to start operating the vehicle.

In relation to applications for new licences the vehicle licence plates cannot be issued until the licence has been granted. In relation to renewal applications the vehicle cannot be tested and issued with licence plates until a competent renewal application has been made. A copy of the receipt for the renewal application must be presented at the Taxi Examination Centre before the test can take place. All licence holders and drivers must be familiar with the licensing conditions before operating hire car vehicles. These can be found in the downloads section of this webpage.

Applications which do not attract any adverse comments/objections are granted by the Chief Solicitor under delegated powers. All other applications require to be referred to the Licensing Committee for determination. You will be advised if your application is being referred to the Licensing Committee.

The Committee meets on a monthly basis and meetings are held in the West Lothian Civic Centre and you or your representative will be given the opportunity to explain to the committee at the meeting why you consider your application should be granted.

Applicants who require an interpreter at the Licensing Committee should consult read the following guidance note  Guidance on Interpretation Service for Licensing Committee and Board Meetings [22KB]

The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 contains a number of grounds on which applications can be refused  Grounds for Refusal of Civic Licence Applications [88KB] If none of these grounds is found to exist the application must be granted. Licensing caselaw makes it clear that in making decisions on any application under Part II of the 1982 Act a committee should have adequate factual material before it to support its conclusions and any reasons given should be those related to the objects of the civic government licensing legislation.

A taxi licence is issued for a period of 1 year for both the grant or renewal of a licence.

The standard conditions for private hire car driver's licences and the conditions of fitness for private hire cars can be found in the downloads section of this page. A breach of any of these conditions could lead to a licence holder being reported to the Licensing Committee which has power to suspend or revoke a licence. In addition you should be aware that a breach of a condition is a criminal offence.

If you are a current licence holder and are considering making a request to vary any of your hire car conditions in relation to your vehicle, you can do that by making an application and the application and a list of fees can be found in downloads section of this page. Please note that a separate application and fee must be made for each licence you wish to be considered.

Once your application form and fee are received a copy of your application will be sent to the Taxi Examination Centre (TEC) for the views of the Senior Vehicle Examiner and the Cab Inspector. If there are no adverse comments received from either officer the licence can be varied by the Chief Solicitor using delegated powers.

However if any adverse comments are received the application would then need to be referred to the next suitable Licensing Committee for a decision to be taken. If your application needs to go to the committee the whole process may take two to three months depending on how long it takes for the TEC to respond. If your variation application is referred to committee you will be invited to attend the meeting to explain to the committee why you believe your application should be granted.

As the conditions form part of council policy the onus is on the licence holder to satisfy the committee that there are good reasons why the particular condition should be disapplied in their case.

If you are applying for a new licence or to renew or replace your vehicle on an existing licence and wish to request that any of the standard conditions be varied you can request that at the time you make your application without making a separate variation application. You should include a letter with your application form explaining what condition you wish varied and the reasons for that. The procedure is the same as for variation applications and if any adverse comments are received the application would then need to be referred to the next suitable Licensing Committee for a decision to be taken on the grant or renewal of the application including your request for the conditions to be varied.  

You should be aware that if your application requires to be referred to the Licensing Committee that this will delay the determination of your application as your vehicle will not be tested until application has been considered by the committee. 

If you are a current licence holder and want to replace your vehicle you should complete the appropriate replacement vehicle application form and application forms are available from the downloads section of this page. Once a form has been received the licensing team will check that and send you a link to make the fee payment. The request will then be forward to TEC for their information and you can contact them directly to arrange a test date.

Guidance is available from the downloads section of this page.

The legislation does not allow licences to be transferred apart from on a temporary basis when a licence holder dies  Guidance Note on the Death of a Taxi or PHC Licence holder [18KB]

If you hold a taxi licence as an individual and wish that licence to be held in the name of your company or partnership you can make an application for a new licence for that vehicle in your business name and surrender the existing licence once the new licence is ready to be granted. There are separate application forms for businesses. Despite the fact that you already hold a licence for the vehicle the application must be dealt with as a new application and you should note that as for all new applications there will be a delay in having the vehicle tested. In addition, if you have previously had your licence varied to change any of the conditions you will need to include with your application a letter explaining which of the conditions of fitness you wish varied and why, see paragraph 3 of the guidance notes attached to the application form. This can also delay the processing of your application. You should seek legal advice regarding this.

The Council has a policy in relation to the installation of CCTV in a licensed taxi vehicle.

CCTV is defined in the conditions as "an electronic security system capable of recording and storing a record of entry or exit of passengers either by way of video or digital images". Schedule D of the hire car conditions contains the approved specification and conditions which will be imposed following an application being granted.

An application form and a list of fees are available from the downloads section of this page.

If the specification of the system you wish to install complies with the minimum specification, your application will be able to be granted using delegated powers once a report on your application is obtained from the Taxi Examination Centre (TEC) confirming this and your vehicle is successfully tested at TEC once the system has been installed.

If you wish to install a CCTV system which records passengers but which does not fully comply with the specification in Schedule D of the hire car conditions, that may need to be referred to the Licensing Committee in the same way as any other application which is outwith policy. If this is the case it would be helpful if in making your application you could include a letter providing details of the specification of the system you wish to install and detailing why the committee should consider varying the specification in your case to allow you to install a system which does not comply with the specification. Technology has moved on since the specification was drawn up and reports from TEC and Police Scotland will be requested for comments on whether a system which does not fully comply with the specification should be permitted.

If adverse comments are received your application would need to be referred to Committee for a decision to be made and you will be invited to attend a meeting to put forward your case.  If no adverse comments are received your application should be able to be granted using delegated powers once the vehicle is successfully tested at TEC after the system has been installed.

In terms of the hire car conditions approval is required from the TEC to install any additional fittings on a licensed vehicle.

If you intend to install a system that does not record the inside of the vehicle and does not fall under the CCTV definition then you should email the Licensing Team detailing the type of system you are proposing and this information would be forwarded to the TEC for consideration. If the TEC have no adverse comments to make regarding the installation you would be advised to proceed with the installation and asked to make an appointment with TEC to take your vehicle for inspection of the system when installed. There is no application process or fee for the approval of this type of installation.

You are able to request replacement licence plates, brackets, door stickers or a duplicate licence by completing an application form which is available from the downloads section of this page.

You should notify us as soon as you can if your details change or any of the information given in your application becomes out of date due to a change in your circumstances.

If you no longer wish to hold your licence you can surrender it to the council at any time by returning your licence together with a letter stating that you wish to surrender it. If you surrender your licence it will cease to have effect.

It is important that you let the Licensing Team know immediately if you change your address, phone number or email address so we can contact you about any licensing issues including when your next medical is due.

Complaints regarding taxi vehicles may be made to the Licensing Team. These should be made in writing by email to licensingservices@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window) or letter and give all the information you can about the nature of the complaint and include the date, time and location where the vehicle was giving cause for concern.

All complaints which are received in writing, either by letter or email are referred to the Taxi Examination Centre (TEC) for investigation. If your complaint involves an allegation that an offence has been committed you must report this first to Police Scotland by calling 101 or attending at a police station. Once you have a crime reference number you should make your complaint to the Licensing Team and include the crime reference number.

Complaints where an offence has been committed can still be forwarded on to TEC and will be monitored until the Police Scotland investigation is concluded, in the event where no action is taken by Police Scotland the detail of the complaint can still be considered from a licensing perspective.

Further information in relation to hire car enforcement can be found here Hire Car Enforcement

Complaints regarding unlicensed taxi vehicles should be made to Police Scotland by calling 101.