Renfrewshire Council

Taxi driver licence

Who can apply for a taxi driver licence, how to apply, what documents you need, how much it costs, criteria, how long your application will take, who is consulted, objections, representations, conditions of the licence, how long the licence lasts for.

Who can apply for a taxi driver licence

If you want to work as a taxi driver in Renfrewshire, you must have licence.

You must:

  • be at least 21-years-old
  • have held a current driving licence entitling you to drive in the UK for a continuous period of 12 months immediately prior to applying
  • sit and pass a knowledge test before a licence is granted.

Information about the knowledge test can be found under related documents.


How to apply for a licence

We now accept taxi driver licence applications online, including the use of electronic signatures.

You can apply, upload and sign for your supporting documents and pay for the licence online.

Apply online for a taxi driver licence

You can see the Council's policy on electronic licensing applications in Appendix 1 of the report to  the Regulatory Functions Board meeting on 15 September 2022.


What documents you need

You need to provide:

  • two colour passport photos ((either in JPEG format or if you are submitting original photographs you must write your full name on the back)
  • your full driving licence (photocard and counterpart). Your driving licence must show your current home address
  • evidence of entitlement to work in the UK
  • a check on previous convictions for applicants seeking a new licence, who were born or have been resident outside the UK for six months or more.

See the taxi driver application guidance notes [344KB] for more information about

  • entitlement to work in the UK
  • checks for previous convictions
  • prior refusal of a licence application
  • application fees
  • driver's licence
  • appeals, conditions, duration and issue of your licence.

How much it costs

See the civic application fees page for taxi licence and driver fees.


How long your application takes

All applications made under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 must be considered within three months. A decision must be made within nine months.


Who is consulted about your application

A copy of your application will be sent to Police Scotland. They will carry out their own investigations and report back to the licensing section.


If there is an objection or representation to your application

If an objection or representation is received the application must be considered at a Regulatory Functions Board meeting. You will be formally invited to attend. A copy of the letter will be sent to you with the citation.


Conditions of your licence

A copy of the conditions will be sent to you once your taxi licence has been granted.

You are required to have a full understanding of these conditions. These conditions form part of your licence and must be kept.

Renfrewshire Council has a dress code for drivers.


How long the licence lasts for

Applications for the grant of a licence generally last for a year. Applications to renew an existing licence are normally granted for a two-year period.