1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Services for business
  4. Licences and Permits
  5. Taxi driver licence

Taxi driver licence

Important change for taxi, private hire and scrap metal license holders or applicants:

As of 2 October 2023, any individual, company or partnership must now complete a tax check when:

  • Renewing a licence;
  • Applying for the same type of licence previously held, that stopped being valid less than a year ago; or
  • Applying for the same type of licence already held with another licencing authority.

This tax check is to confirm you are registered for tax (where applicable). You will be asked questions about how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licenced trade. 

Once you have completed the tax check, you will be given a 9-character code which you will need to give to the licensing team along with your licencing application. Our team cannot process your licence without this code and your application will be returned to you until this is complete. 

Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence

For the avoidance of doubt, Aberdeen City Council do not receive any of your tax information, only confirmation that you have completed the relevant check. 
 

Overview

In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, Aberdeen City Council requires all vehicles operating as a Taxi to be licensed.  Drivers of these vehicles also require to hold a separate Taxi Driver's Licence.

A licence is granted for one year. Renewal of a licence lasts for three years. A temporary licence lasts for six weeks.

You must have held a full UK driving license for 12 months before applying for a taxi driver's licence.

Back to top

Evidence of the right to live and work in the UK

The Council has a statutory duty under the Immigration Act 2016 to check and verify that every applicant has the right to live in the UK and work as a taxi driver or private hire car driver. This check must be carried out irrespective of the nationality or ethnicity of the applicant.

These checks apply to all applications including applications for renewal of existing licences. If an existing licence holder cannot provide the necessary evidence, their licence cannot be renewed.

Right to work checklist

Back to top

Street knowledge test

If you intend to apply for a taxi driver's licence or a private hire driver's licence, you must first sit and pass the Council's street knowledge test.

The test aims to ensure that all taxi and private hire drivers have a knowledge of the city including the layout of its roads and the location of landmarks.

To apply for the test, please download, complete and return the application form below:

Street Knowledge Test Application Form338.4 KB

You can return the form to us using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Guidance notes on the street knowledge test

Back to top

Complaints

Should you wish to lodge a complaint regarding taxis or private hire cars please contact the Licensing team.

Back to top

Related Content

Did you find what you were looking for?

Status message

Please note, this form is anonymous, we can't reply directly to your feedback. If you would like to report an issue, make a complaint or suggestion, please Contact Us.