How to apply for a Private Hire Car Driver's Licence

Low Emission Zone - Is your licensed vehicle compliant?

To operate beyond the 31 May 2023 all vehicles licensed as a taxi or private hire car require to meet the Council's Low Emission Standards(LEZ) of Euro 4 for petrol, Euro 6 for diesel, electric, been retro-fitted or granted a time limited exemption. Further Information

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A Private Hire Car Driver's Licence permits an individual to operate any Private Hire Car licensed by this Authority.

On 17 April 2019 the Licensing and Regulatory Committee introduced an  Overprovision Policy [104kb] 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.

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 on the 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 private hire car 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:

• Register for Self Assessment
• Pay Corporation Tax
• How you Pay Income Tax

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 on Applying [254kb] 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

Apply online

How much will it cost?

Please refer to our  Fees and Charges [256kb] document 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

Payment submitted by post should be in the form of Cheque or Postal Order. All Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to Glasgow City Council. Do not send cash by post.

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.