Booking Offices
Home > Services > Business > Licensing > Taxi and private hire licences
A licence is required for the use of premises for carrying on of a business which consists to any extent of taking bookings, by any means of communication, from members of the public for the hire of a taxi or private hire vehicle.
No licence is required where the number of relevant vehicles in respect of which bookings are taken does not at any time exceed 3 vehicles.
Click on the links below for an answer to each question:
How do I apply for a licence?
What documents do I need to apply for a licence?
Do I need to do anything once my application is lodged?
How much is the licence fee?
What criteria have to be met to apply for a licence?
How long will my application take?
Who is consulted about my application?
What happens if there is an objection to my application?
What conditions are attached to my licence?
How long does the licence last for?
How do I apply for a licence?
An application pack with an application form, guidance notes and conditions of licence can be downloaded below:
Booking Office Application Pack (pdf - 310Kb)
You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document. Download Acrobat Reader here.
You can apply in person at our Customer Service Centre or post you application to us at the address below, with the appropriate fee and documents enclosed.
You must answer every question on the form. If a question is irrelevant, mark it as 'not applicable'.
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What documents do I need to apply for a licence?
The application for and relevant fee should be accompanied with:
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Do I need to do anything once my application is lodged?
Applicants must display a public notice at the proposed premises, along with a copy of the application form, for a period of 21 days once the application has been lodged. However the last date for objections which must be stated on the public notice must be exactly 28 days from the date the application with lodged with the Licensing Section.
At the end of the 21 day period, you must sign and return a certificate of compliance to confirm that you have displayed the notice for the statutory period.
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How much is the licence fee?
Information on fees for all licences is available on our application fees webpage.
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What criteria have to be met to apply for a licence?
You require to have more than three vehicles in respect of which bookings are taken.
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All applications made under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 must be considered within three months and a decision made within six months.
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Who is consulted about my application?
A copy of your application will be sent to Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Local Councillor, Community Councillor, Environmental Services Department, Planning & Transport and where the premises are within Paisley Town Centre the Town Centre Manager. They will carry out their own investigations and report back to the licensing section.
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What happens if there if an objection or representation to my application?
If an objection or representation is received the application must be considered at a meeting of the Regulatory Functions Board. You will be formally cited to attend the meeting and a copy of the letter of objection or representation will be sent out to you with the citation letter.
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What conditions are attached to my licence?
The conditions of licence can be downloaded here:
A copy of the conditions of licence for booking offices will be issued to you if your licence is granted. The council requires all licenceholders to have a thorough understanding of these conditions and they should be kept as they form part of your licence.
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How long does the licence last for?
Applications for the grant of a licence are generally granted for a period of one year. Applications to renew an existing licence are normally granted for a two year period.
Renfrewshire Council
Licensing Section
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1TT
- phone: 0141 842 4499
- fax: 0141 840 3566



