Taxis and minicabs (Private Hire Cars)

The Council's Licensing Services working in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police and other council services operates the Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing Scheme. All taxis and private hire cars operating within West Lothian require to hold a West Lothian taxi or private hire car plate. The licence plate is affixed to the front and rear or all authorised taxis and private hire cars. This plate details the description, registration of the vehicle and the expiry date of the licence. Please note after consultation with the taxi trade it was agreed that a limit be set on the number of taxis operating in West Lothian, this limit is currently set at 166. The council is obliged by law to carry out a review of the limit, the last review was November 2006 where an increase in taxis was authorised.

Drivers of taxis or private hire cars must hold either a taxi drivers licence (allows authorised driver to drive a taxi or private hire cars) or a private hire car drivers licence (allows holder to drive private hire cars only).