All private hire car drivers (PHC) must hold a current "West Lothian Council - PHC Drivers Licence". This licence forms part of the taxi and private hire car licensing scheme operated by the council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. To apply for a PHC drivers licence you must be 18 or over and have held a full DVLC drivers licence for 12 months.
All applicants are checked - this is a mandatory check carried out by the Lothian and Borders Police and the applications is not subject to the Offenders and Rehabilitation Act.
Each driver/operator must either uplift or drop off passengers within the zone for which they have a licence. Black cabs (London-style Hackney cabs) can pick up passengers off the street or from taxi ranks. Private hire cabs must be pre-booked, and cannot be hailed in the street.
Yes. If you are applying for a Taxi Driver's Licence, you must have held a full current national (DVLA) driving licence for a minimum of 12 months. A provisional licence is not sufficient.
If you want to drive a black cab (London-style Hackney cab) you have to sit and pass a knowledge test of the area in which you wish to operate, so that you have an excellent knowledge of local streets and roads. There is also a non-obligatory test that ensures you know how to help disabled passengers get into and out of your cab. If you want to be a private hire taxi driver, you are not required to sit any tests.
You will need a medical certificate from a doctor if you are making a new application for a Taxi or Private Hire Car Driver's Licence. Drivers aged 65 or over have to submit annual medical certificates. If you are under 65 with an existing medical condition you may also have to submit a certificate.
