Completing your application
Due to recent changes in legislation it is no longer possible to apply online for this application. This is because your right to work in the UK requires to be checked as part of your licence application. You are required to provide original documentation.
The documents you submit to support your application will require to be checked in your presence.
You are now required to attend in person to either:
- Your local ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ office, or
- Council Headquarters, Kilmory, Lochgilphead
Please ensure you have all the necessary supporting documentation or your application will not be processed.
Should you wish to discuss the application process or requirements please contact 01546 604470 or email: licensing@argyll-bute.gov.uk
New legislation on transporting wheelchair users
From 6th April 2017 it is illegal for taxi drivers to discriminate against wheelchair users
How to apply
Apply for a licence
You can download the application forms for a new licence, or to renew or amend your licence here:
Private hire driver's licence - apply for a new licence
Private hire driver's licence - renewal
The information you have supplied on this form will be used for the purpose for which you have provided it, and appropriate measures are in place to protect your personal data. A full privacy notice, which provides information about your rights under current data protection legislation and details about what will happen to your personal data can be found here:
Applications must:
- be signed by the applicant
- contain the applicant’s name and address and those of any employer
- include the application fee
Your application must be accompanied by:
- Evidence of Entitlement to work in the UK
- Check on previous convictions for applicants seeking a new licence, and who were born or have been resident outside the UK for six months or more.
Detailed information of what should be submitted can be found in these guidance notes.
Legislation regarding HMRC tax checks for licence applications.
Regulation Summary
Schedule of Conditions
Details of the Schedule of Conditions that relate to this licence
Changes to legislation - criminal convictions
This information explains regulations relating to criminal convictions
Briefing note: rehabilitation of offenders legislation
Fees
£133 - 3 years
Other Evidence
From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by the DVLA. The old style paper licence issued prior to 1998 will remain in force, however, it will no longer be endorsed with any points. Endorsements will only be recorded electronically and will be held on DVLA’s driving record. You can check your driving record/driver summary report online at the .
You must include a copy of your driver summary report. If you have a driving licence card you must submit a copy along with your application.
If you are over 65 years a medical will be required. This will be referred to a third party and you will be invited for an appointment.
Please contact the Licensing office to request an appointment. Telephone: 01546 604355 or licensing@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Group 2 standards of the medical aspects of fitness to drive booklet applied by DVLA in relation to bus and lorry drivers are applied to taxi drivers in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute. Applicants requiring insulin treatment for diabetes need to provide evidence supporting C1 medical standards.
Contact details
Telephone: 01546 604355 or licensing@argyll-bute.gov.uk
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥
Legal and Regulatory Support
Licensing Section
Kilmory
Lochgilphead
PA31 8RT
Eligibility Criteria
A licence to be known as a Taxi Driver’s Licence shall be required for carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a taxi driver.
You must not be disqualified from holding a licence and you must be a fit and proper person to be the holder of a licence.
You must not have applied for the same licence within the last year, unless there has been a material change in your circumstances since your last application.
Group 2 standards of the medical aspects of fitness to drive booklet applied by DVLA in relation to bus and lorry drivers are applied to taxi drivers in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute. Applicants requiring insulin treatment for diabetes require to provide evidence of satisfying C1 medical standards.
The application process
We will:
- send a copy of the application to Police Scotland
- place a notice on the local authority office notice board which states the applicant details contained in the application, that any objections or representations may be made to ourselves, and how they should be made
- keep a register of applications in which we will enter the receipt of the application, our final decision and reasons for the decision, the details of the terms of each licence granted and a note of any suspension, variation of the terms, or surrender, of a licence
The register must be available for inspection by any member of the public at reasonable times and places and any member of the public must be allowed to make a copy of it. A fee will be required for this service.
Where we fail to make a decision within six months of the application, the licence is held to be granted or renewed.
Appeals
If you have made an application for a licence and it has been refused
You may ask us for the reasons for our decision to refuse your application within 21 days of the decision date.
You may appeal to the sheriff against the decision, within 28 days of the decision, as long as you have already followed any available procedure to state your case to ourselves.
The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that we, in making our decision, had:
- erred in law
- based our decision on an incorrect material fact
- acted contrary to natural justice
- exercised our discretion in an unreasonable manner
You may then appeal on a point of law from the sheriff's decision to the Court of Session within 28 days from the date of the sheriff’s decision.
Appeals - Licence Holders
Appeals against the refusal of an application must be made to the Sheriff Principal of North Strathclyde, Paisley Sheriff Court, St James Street, Paisley, PA3 2AW.
You may appeal if we decide to suspend a licence, not to renew a licence, or not to consent to material changes to the premises or vehicle used in the course of a licence holder's work. You may appeal against the decision within 28 days of being notified, as long as you have already followed any available procedure to state your case to ourselves.
The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that we, in making our decision, have:
- erred in law
- based our decision on an incorrect material fact
- acted contrary to natural justice
- exercised our discretion in an unreasonable manner
You may then appeal on a point of law from the sheriff's decision to the Court of Session within 28 days from the date of the sheriff’s decision.
Objections or representations
Objections or representations relating to a licence application may be made in writing to the licensing section, within 28 days of notice of the licence application being given, stating:
- the grounds of the objection or nature of the representation
- the name and address of the person making the representation
Police Scotland, or anyone who has made a relevant objection or representation regarding the licence, may appeal against a decision within 28 days of being notified, as long as they have already followed any available procedure in terms of stating their case to ourselves.
The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that we, in making our decision, had:
- erred in law
- based our decision on an incorrect material fact
- acted contrary to natural justice
- exercised our discretion in an unreasonable manner