Private hire car driver licence

Anyone who drives or owns a private hire car.

The UK Government has changed the law regarding private hire car (PHC) driver’s licences with effect from 1 December 2016. From 1 December 2016 licensing authorities are prohibited from issuing licences, including renewals, to anyone who is disqualified by reason of their immigration status. This means that we must check that an applicant has permission to be in the UK and undertake work as a private hire car (PHC) driver when you first apply for a licence or first apply to renew or extend an existing licence.
Please note that we will not accept any application submitted without all the required criminal record checks or a satisfactory Immigration status.

From 2 October 2023, new tax requirements will be implemented by the UK Government for applications for private hire driver licences. Anyone applying for a licence on or after this date will need to complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which will provide a 9 character code that must be given to the licensing team when attending the licensing hub for your face to face document checks.

Additional information about Tax check codes can be found on the GOV.UK website

Face to face document checks for all private hire driver applications resumed on 26 June 2023. The document checks do not need to be booked, as anyone making an application should visit the Licensing Hub, 33 Murrayburn Road, EH14 2TF to have their documents and tax code checked, a photograph taken and submit the application. The Licensing Hub is open: Monday to Thursday from 08.30 to 16.30 and 08.30 to 15.30 on a Friday

A Police check will be carried out. Each licence issued is subject to standard conditions. A licence may also contain special conditions. An applicant must have held an appropriate DVLA driver's licence for a minimum of 12 months. Medical examination required.

fees vary depending on the category of licence being applied for, download our fee list for details on the application fee payable

Please note it is no longer possible to apply onlne for this type of application. This is because

Your right to work in the UK must be checked as part of your licence application. You must provide original documentation to support your application that will be checked in your presence.
Any required documentation in relation to criminal record checks must be checked in your presence.
We need to be satisfied that you are aware of your tax registration obligations.
Your photograph must taken. The photograph will be added to any licence documents for identification purposes.

To apply for a licence you must attend in person to:

The Licensing Hub
33 Murrayburn Road
Edinburgh
EH14 2TF

to have the documents above checked by a licensing officer. The licensing hub is open Monday to Thursday from 08.30 to 16.30 and 08.30 to 15.30 on Friday

There are additional costs for duplicate ID badges or licences, and additional costs for failing to attend medical examinations. download our fee list to see details of these costs

A fully completed current application form
Evidence of your right to work in the UK,
Any required criminal conviction checks, translated into english and verified by the relevant UK based embassy
The correct application fee
Paper drivers licence and/or photo card ID badge

From 2 October 2023, the government has introduced tax requirements for applications for certain licences in Scotland. This means that anyone (Individuals, companies and any type of partnership) applying for or renewing a taxi driver licence must complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before applying for a licence.

Applicants who are new to licensing or have been out of the ‘trade’ for more than 12 months, do not need to carry out a tax check. However, they must confirm as part of their application, that they are registering for tax, have read and understood the HMRC Tax Responsibilities and are aware of their tax obligations. Further information about your tax registration obligations can be found on GOV.UK and the links below:

Register for self assessment
Corporation tax
Income tax

Please also note that from 2 November 2020 anyone applying for a new private hire car driver licence must complete the foundation level training course. Further information, costs and booking details can be found on our taxi and private hire car driver training page

Please note that from 2 November 2023 anyone applying for renewal of a private hire car driver licence must attend a 3 day mandatory Intermediate training course. Further information, costs and booking details can be found on our taxi and private hire car driver training page

Please ensure that you complete a current application form as any out of date applications forms will not be accepted.

You cannot apply to renew a licence after it has expired. An application for licence renewal must be made before the expiry of the current licence. Any application made up to 28 days later will be a ‘late application.’

if a late application is received, the original licence will expire on the date marked on the licence. However, if the Council decides that ‘Good Cause’ has been shown for the late submission of the application, the previous licence will remain in effect while the renewal is being processed. You can download our Policy on late applications for further information

Please ensure you read the guidance notes in the application pack before submitting your application. Please note that all licence application fees are non refundable, you can download our refunds policy for more information. Any requests for a refund due to exceptional circumstances should be made in writing to the Licensing Manager, 249 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ or by email to: licensing@edinburgh.gov.uk

Supporting documentation will be required if the licence is to be held by a limited company or partnership.

From 2 October 2023, the government has introduced tax requirements for applications for certain licences in Scotland. This means that anyone (Individuals, companies and any type of partnership) applying for or renewing a taxi driver licence must complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before applying for a licence.

Applicants who are new to licensing or have been out of the ‘trade’ for more than 12 months, do not need to carry out a tax check. However, they must confirm as part of their application, that they are registering for tax, have read and understood the HMRC Tax Responsibilities and are aware of their tax obligations. Further information about your tax registration obligations can be found on GOV.UK and the links below:

Register for self assessment
Corporation tax
Income tax

Please also note that from 2 November 2020 anyone applying for a new private hire car driver licence must complete the foundation level training course, and from 2 November 2023 anyone applying for renewal of a private hire car driver licence must attend a 3 day mandatory Intermediate training course. Further information, costs and booking details can be found on our taxi and private hire car driver training pages usng the links below:

New private hire driver applicants
Renewal private hire driver licence applicants

Download new licence application
Download renewal licence application
Download Medical Exemption application pack

please complete and submit a Miscellaneous request form together with the appropriate fee, to request items such as replacement ID badges & a certified copy licence etc

Download conditions effective for all licences granted from 21 Nov 2016 - this includes new, renewal and any variation of licence
Download conditions effective for all licences granted from 7 May 2018 - this includes new, renewal and any variation of licence
Download conditions effective for all licences granted from 20 May 2019 - this includes new, renewal and any variation of licence
Download conditions effective for all licences granted from 2 Nov 2020 - this includes new, renewal and any variation of licence
Download conditions effective for all licences granted from 23 Aug 2021 - this includes new, renewal and any variation of licence

Private hire car driver licence - Licence and permit applications