Taxi and private hire car driver training - renewing your licence
From November 2023 all existing Taxi and Private Hire Car drivers renewing their licence will be required to attend a 3 day Intermediate Training Course. Training is mandatory and licence holders must complete all three days training as part of the renewal process for their Taxi or PHC driver’s licence.
A 1 day refresher course will be required after 3 years at each renewal.
Training delivery
The course will consist of 8 units covered over 3 days and will be delivered in person at the Licensing Hub 33 Murrayburn Road Edinburgh EH14 2TF.
Course content
Each unit provides knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
The regulatory framework of the Taxi and Private Hire industry
- How to meet the requirements to hold and renew a licence.
- Local Licence Conditions.
- Duties and responsibilities of the licence holder.
Road Safety when driving passengers in a Taxi or PHC
- Factors affecting drivers’ judgment and concentration.
- Transportation of customers in a safe and comfortable manner.
- Compliance requirements for vehicle and driver licence conditions.
- Response in an emergency.
Professional Customer Service in the Taxi and Private Hire industry
- Providing a professional service.
- Requirements, licence conditions and precautions when transporting.
- Communication skills.
- Customer grievance and complaints handling.
Picking up and setting down passengers and fares in the Taxi and PHC industry
- Rules, safety measures and restrictions in picking up and setting down.
- Calculating fares and charging.
- Electronic means of communication.
- Operation of a Booking Office.
Transporting of children and young people by Taxi or PHC
- Role of the driver and Ancillary Legislation.
- Safe pick up and drop off destination.
Taxi and Private Hire services for passengers who require assistance
- Anti-discrimination legislation.
- Recognising passengers who need assistance.
- Providing the appropriate services.
- Assessing risk and specialist equipment.
- Demonstrate safe wheelchair assistance to passengers.
- Providing safe assistance.
First Aid
- Understanding basic principles of First Aid.
- Incident Assessment.
- Management of casualties that are unresponsive.
- Management of casualties not breathing/difficulty breathing.
- Providing safe assistance.
Public Protection, Awareness Raising and Response
- What is public Protection.
- Identify different types of harm/abuse.
- What action to take if concerned.
- Awareness of principals within child and adult protection legislation.
Course timings
Registration and housekeeping starts at 08:45 each day and the course will finish at 5pm.
Course fees and booking
The fee for the Intermediate Course is £300 and includes lunch and refreshments each day. There will be an opportunity to complete an optional assessment at the end of this course, but this will not be mandatory.
The Intermediate Course Training Workbook plus a copy of the Licensing Conditions for Taxi and Private Hire Cars and Drivers will be supplied on Day 1 of the course.
June 2025 course dates
Download course booking form for week 3: 24 - 26 June 2025
Download course booking form for week 4: 6, 13 & 20 June 2025 (3 consecutive Fridays)
Booking instructions
Your completed booking form can be submitted together with your driver renewal application form when attending the Licensing Hub for your face to face document checks. Please ensure your licence reference number is added to the form when submitting your booking. You should also let us know of any dietary requirements when booking.
Cancellations
Please note there is a £50 re-booking fee for any course cancellations with less than a 5 working days’ notice.