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Private hire car 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. 

You can complete the tax check at the following link - Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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. 
 

Licence summary

In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, Aberdeen City Council requires all vehicles operating as a taxi or a private hire car to be licensed. Drivers of these vehicles also require to hold a separate taxi or private hire car driver's licence.

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Evidence of 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.

As part of the application process you must provide certain documents to evidence your right to live and work in the UK at a face to face interview, which can be booked by clicking on the button below. If you cannot provide the required evidence your application cannot be granted. The types of document that can be accepted as evidence have been prescribed by the Home Office; the Council does not have discretion to accept documents other than those specified by the Home Office.

The document - Evidence to Support your Right to Work in the UK provides detailed guidance on this check. Please ensure you have read and understood this before submitting your application.

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.

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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 for street knowledge test

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Complaints

You can find more information on how to lodge a complaint regarding taxis or private hire cars on our complaints page.

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