Taxis and private hire cars

Vehicles

If you want a car to be used as a taxi or private hire vehicle then you need to apply for a vehicle operator's licence. The difference between a taxi and private hire car is that a taxi can pick up passengers from the street and park in taxi ranks but a private hire car must be pre-booked.

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles need to be less than 3 years old to apply for this. Zero Emission vehicles need to be less than 4 years old.  Any person driving the car including the operator will need a Taxi Drivers Licence. 

What you need to do to apply

You will need to fill in an application form and also produce a current MOT certificate with at least 11 months remaining, the vehicle registration document and insurance certificate along with the fee. The application checklist can be found here.

The licence lasts for one year and it is your responsibility to make sure you apply for a renewal before the expiry date.  

Download operator application form

Download the driver and operator application checklist

How the application is dealt with

We will send a copy of your application form along with copies of the other documents to the Police. The Police have 21 days to respond and if the application is cleared by them, then we will arrange a test date for the vehicle to be tested by East Lothian Vehicle Plant Maintenance.

If your vehicle passes it's inspection, we will provide plates to be fitted on the front and rear of your car and, if it is a private hire car, you will also receive private hire pre-booked signs to be fitted to the driver and front passenger doors.  The licence lasts for one year and it is your responsibility to make sure you apply for a renewal of your licence before the expiry date. 

Licence fees

**Please note: licence fees are non-refundable**

**Variations to a licence only cover a change to the licence holder's home address or day-to-day manager details**