Vehicle licensing
Current statutory ruleLicence suitability safety insurance and number controls
This is the vehicle-licensing test and does not establish a separate driver or booking-office licence.
- Vehicle Licence Required: Yes
- Grant Or Renewal Tests: suitable in type, size and design for use as a taxi or private hire car; safe for that use; appropriate insurance or security is in force
- Taxi Number Control: a taxi grant may be refused to limit numbers only if the authority is satisfied that there is no significant unmet demand for taxi services in its area
- Private Hire Overprovision: a private-hire-car grant may be refused only if the authority is satisfied there is or would be overprovision in the locality, having regard to vehicle numbers and demand
- Statutory Section: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 section 10
Current statutory ruleStatutory processing duration renewal and appeal framework
These are statutory outer rules and effects, not an Aberdeen service target or a guarantee that an application is complete.
- Relevant Date: the application date, or where Finance Act 2021 tax-check confirmation rules prevent consideration on that date, the date that prevention ends
- Application Consideration: within three months after the relevant date
- Final Decision: within six months after the end of the initial three-month period
- Extension: the sheriff may extend either period on the licensing authority's summary application
- Missed Deadline Effect: application is deemed granted or renewed
- Deemed Temporary Duration: the period sought, capped at six weeks
- Deemed Other Duration: one year
- Ordinary Duration: three years or a shorter period determined by the licensing authority
- Temporary Maximum: six weeks
- Timely Renewal Continuation: a timely renewal keeps the existing licence in effect until grant or renewal, expiry of the appeal period after refusal, or abandonment or determination of a lodged appeal, subject where applicable to the Schedule 1 tax-check blocking branch
- Late Renewal: an application up to 28 days late may be treated as timely only where the authority considers that good cause is shown
- Appeal Eligibility: a person who may require reasons under the Schedule and who followed all available procedures for stating their case
- Appeal Method And Deadline: summary application lodged with the sheriff clerk within 28 days of the decision
- Late Appeal: the sheriff may hear a late appeal where good cause is shown
- Appeal Grounds: error of law; decision based on an incorrect material fact; action contrary to natural justice; unreasonable exercise of discretion
Current official sourceCurrent application and renewal route
The live page describes the route but does not verify the behaviour of the email intake after submission.
- Licence Required For Every Vehicle: Yes
- Local Duration: renewed annually
- Form Route: download the council form and return it by email
- Email: licensing@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Dated official source still linkedDated application fields documents and declarations
The current page links this form, but its conflicting 2022 filename and 2023 attachment label prevent treatment as an unambiguously dated current form.
- Application Types: taxi vehicle; private hire vehicle; special events private hire vehicle; grant; renewal; temporary or full
- Applicant Structures: individual; company; partnership
- Vehicle Particulars: registration mark and registration date; chassis number, make, model, colour and engine size; doors, passenger seats and wheelchair accessibility; ownership, keeper, finance and day-to-day manager details; MOT, insurance and modification details
- Applicant Disclosures: convictions, including road-traffic offences and spent convictions as framed by the form; previous Aberdeen City Council licence refusals for any named person
- Checklist: fully completed form; relevant application fee; copy of V5 registration document; copy of insurance certificate or fleet policy name
- Submission: email, with exceptional postal submission described
- Fee Rule: application fees described as non-refundable
Current official sourceCurrent council vehicle fees
These are council charges only; the separate inspection page still states £33 for several related events, recorded as a conflict below.
- Effective From: 2026-04-01
- Vehicle Grant Including Tests: £312 for one year
- Vehicle Renewal Including Tests: £312 for one year
- Temporary Vehicle Including Tests: £312 for six weeks
- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Type Approval: £283
- Change Zone Or Registration: £98
- Manager Variation: £80
- Vehicle Substitution: £47
- Hackney Retest Or Non Attendance: £44
- Replacement Vehicle Plate: £22
Current official sourceCurrent public contact submission and payment channels
No live licensing telephone number is stated on the checked current pages.
- Application Email: licensing@aberdeencity.gov.uk
- Online Payment: council-linked payment portal using debit or credit card
- Postal Payment Address: Licensing, Legal Services, Business Hub 6, Marischal College, Aberdeen AB10 1AB
- In Person Payment: Customer Service Centre, Marischal College, Aberdeen AB10 1AB
- In Person Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00
- In Person Methods: cash; cheque; debit card; credit card
- Policy Breach Or Feedback Emails: enforcement@aberdeencity.gov.uk; licensing@aberdeencity.gov.uk
- Application Fee Rule: application fees are non-refundable
Current official sourceTaxi limit zones and plate rules
The policy gives the cap and zone rules but does not state the live number of licences or whether the cap has been reached.
- Published Taxi Limit: 1079 licensed taxis
- Zones: airport zone within Aberdeen International Airport's legal boundary; city zone covering the remainder of the licensing authority area
- City Plate Colour: yellow
- Airport Plate Colour: green
- City Pickup Restriction: cannot collect a fare in the airport zone unless pre-booked or the airport operator has illuminated the green light
- Airport Pickup Restriction: cannot collect a fare in the city unless pre-booked, except the policy permits city-zone operation from midnight Saturday to 05:00 Sunday
Current official sourceCurrent taxi vehicle entry and type criteria
Vehicle acceptance remains subject to the complete policy and inspection; these criteria do not guarantee grant.
- First Licence: all vehicles first licensed as taxis must be wheelchair accessible vehicles
- Historic Exception: a taxi licence granted before 1994 may operate a saloon, MPV or wheelchair accessible vehicle
- Wheelchair Accessible Age At First Licence Or Substitution: not more than ten years old
- Non Wheelchair Accessible Substitution On Pre1994 Licence: not more than five years old
- Minimum Doors: four
- Minimum Passenger Seats: four
- Roof Sign Rule: an approved roof sign is required, with type depending on zone and vehicle model
- Dimension And Boot Tests: the policy specifies step-height, door, legroom, headroom, boot-capacity and rear-seat-width minima
Current official sourceCurrent private hire vehicle entry and type criteria
Private-hire advertising is omitted from this claim because the current official materials conflict.
- Wheelchair Accessible Age At First Licence Or Substitution: not more than ten years old
- Other Vehicle Age At First Licence Or Substitution: not more than five years old
- Minimum Doors: four
- Minimum Passenger Seats: four
- Dimension And Boot Tests: the policy specifies step-height, door, legroom, headroom, boot-capacity and rear-seat-width minima
- Roof Sign Rule: roof signs are not permitted
Current official sourceVehicle owner keeper and insurer alignment
The policy states the general alignment rule and its two listed exceptions.
- General Rule: the licence holder must be the vehicle owner, the named keeper on the V5 and the named insurer
- Partnership Exception: owner, keeper and insurance may be in the name of one partner
- Lease Or Finance Exception: the leasing or finance company may be the registered keeper or owner
Current official sourceInspection frequency and pass certificate
The inspection is a local taxi or PHC inspection and does not replace the separate MOT requirement.
- Frequency: two taxi or Hackney inspections per 12-month period
- First Inspection: immediately before first licensing or renewal, within 21 days
- Later Inspections: at six-month intervals within the stated 21-day period
- Pass Certificate Required: Yes
- Expired Certificate Effect: the vehicle cannot be used as a taxi or private hire car until a new pass certificate is obtained
Current official sourceInspection location appointments and documents
The page's £33 follow-up charges conflict with the current fee schedule and are therefore not promoted into this claim.
- Location: Kittybrewster Depot, Powis Terrace, Aberdeen
- Appointment Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:45 to 14:45
- Appointment Required: Yes
- Full Test Length: 30 minutes
- Retest Length: 15 minutes
- Bring Each Time: V5C vehicle registration certificate; valid insurance certificate; valid MOT certificate, if applicable
- Initial Tests: described as included in the application fee
Current official sourceTaxi private hire test standard and failure outcomes
The test-decision statement is not treated as removing the separate statutory appeal framework for licensing decisions.
- Separate From MOT: Yes
- Standard: additional taxi and PHC criteria above the separate MOT standard
- Major Fault Outcome: test failure and suspension of the vehicle licence
- Minor Fault Outcome: 14-day retest notice, with suspension if the fault is not rectified and retested within 14 days
- While Suspended: the vehicle cannot be used as a taxi or private hire car
- Test Dispute: workshop management is stated to be on site to resolve disputes
- Immediate Test Appeal: the manual states there is no right of appeal immediately following a test decision
Current official sourceCurrent passenger capacity engine and propulsion policy
The policy separately flags future petrol and diesel restrictions as approved but not yet in force, with dates still to be confirmed.
- Licensed Passenger Range: four to eight passengers
- Engine Size: no current limit
- Propulsion: any means of propulsion is currently permitted
Booking-office licensing
Current statutory ruleStatutory processing duration renewal and appeal framework
These are statutory outer rules and effects, not an Aberdeen service target or a guarantee that an application is complete.
- Relevant Date: the application date, or where Finance Act 2021 tax-check confirmation rules prevent consideration on that date, the date that prevention ends
- Application Consideration: within three months after the relevant date
- Final Decision: within six months after the end of the initial three-month period
- Extension: the sheriff may extend either period on the licensing authority's summary application
- Missed Deadline Effect: application is deemed granted or renewed
- Deemed Temporary Duration: the period sought, capped at six weeks
- Deemed Other Duration: one year
- Ordinary Duration: three years or a shorter period determined by the licensing authority
- Temporary Maximum: six weeks
- Timely Renewal Continuation: a timely renewal keeps the existing licence in effect until grant or renewal, expiry of the appeal period after refusal, or abandonment or determination of a lodged appeal, subject where applicable to the Schedule 1 tax-check blocking branch
- Late Renewal: an application up to 28 days late may be treated as timely only where the authority considers that good cause is shown
- Appeal Eligibility: a person who may require reasons under the Schedule and who followed all available procedures for stating their case
- Appeal Method And Deadline: summary application lodged with the sheriff clerk within 28 days of the decision
- Late Appeal: the sheriff may hear a late appeal where good cause is shown
- Appeal Grounds: error of law; decision based on an incorrect material fact; action contrary to natural justice; unreasonable exercise of discretion
Current official sourceCurrent threshold duration and application route
The threshold concerns the premises and does not itself license vehicles, drivers or a radio or dispatch relationship.
- Licensable Premises: premises taking public bookings for four or more licensed taxis or private hire cars
- Three Or Fewer: the council states no booking-office licence is required where no more than three vehicles operate from the premises
- Local Renewal Cycle: every three years
- Eligible Applicant Structures: individual; partnership; limited partnership; limited company
- Day To Day Manager: the person responsible for day-to-day management must be named
- Application Notice: display a notice in or near the premises for 21 days from the application date and then send the council a certificate that notice was advertised
- Inspection Access: police or council may inspect the premises at a reasonable time and required records must be produced
- Application Route: download the application form and return it by email
- Email: licensing@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Dated official source still linkedDated application fields notice and submission
The October 2023 form remains linked, but its tax-code wording is not treated as current where it conflicts with newer official guidance.
- Applicant Structures: individual; company; partnership
- People Fields: directors or partners; day-to-day manager; convictions including road-traffic and spent convictions as framed by the form; refusal of a similar licence during the previous year
- Premises Fields: name and address; telephone number; number of vehicles; operating hours; inspection contact
- Application Types: grant; renewal; temporary
- Public Notice: display for 21 days from submission, or declare why access rights prevent display
- Submission: email, with exceptional postal submission described
Current official sourceCurrent council booking office fees
These are council licence charges and do not establish any commercial booking, dispatch or vehicle costs.
- Effective From: 2026-04-01
- Grant: £317 for three years
- Renewal: £277
- Temporary: £145 for six weeks
- Variation: £66
- Material Alteration: £72
Current official sourceMandatory booking and vehicle records
The current council page and GOV.UK guidance repeat the mandatory records from the original 2009 instrument; a fully consolidated instrument remains an explicit gap.
- Booking Record: a record of every booking for the hire of a relevant vehicle taken at the licensed premises
- Vehicle Record: registration number of the vehicle assigned
- Driver Record: name of the driver assigned
- Reasonable Steps: the licence holder must take reasonable steps to ensure the assigned vehicle and driver are appropriately licensed
Dated official source still linkedDated additional local booking office conditions
The current page still displays these conditions but identifies them as agreed in 2017; no later adoption date was stated.
- Agreed: 2017-11-07
- Additional Booking Fields: date and time of every hire; pickup point; destination
- Address Change Notice: within 14 days
- Driver And Vehicle Records: maintain records and carry out an ongoing audit of licences
- Conviction Notice: within 28 days
- Driver Instruction Rule: the licence holder must not ask a driver to do anything that would breach the driver's licence conditions
- Records Access: records must be available for authorised inspection
- Retention: at least three years
- Format: electronic records are accepted
Current official sourceTax check conditionality and code
The dated Aberdeen application form says nine digits; that narrower wording is retained as a conflict rather than promoted.
- In Force From: 2023-10-02
- Scottish Scope: booking-office licences, not Scottish taxi or private hire vehicle licences
- Tax Check Required: renewal; same licence type held and expired less than one year ago; same licence type already held with another licensing authority
- New Applicant Route: a genuinely new applicant, or one whose same-type licence expired at least one year ago, confirms tax responsibilities rather than completing a tax check
- Code: nine-character code
- Code Validity: 120 days
- Personal Completion: the applicant must complete their own tax check
- Ordinary Renewal Without Valid Code: an existing Scottish licence expires on the later of 28 days after the licensing authority asks for the code or the existing licence expiry date
- Temporary Licence Without Valid Code: a temporary Scottish licence expires on the later of seven days after the licensing authority asks for the code or the existing licence expiry date
Current statutory ruleRight to licence eligibility duration and cessation
The current consolidated Schedule supplies the two limited-leave branches and cessation rule; the 2017 instrument records how booking-office licences were brought into that framework.
- Grant Or Renewal Rule: the authority must be satisfied that an individual applicant is not disqualified by immigration status
- Ordinary Limited Leave: where section 3C does not apply, the licence period must end at or before the end of the person's limited leave
- Section3 CLeave: where limited leave has been extended by section 3C, the licence period must not exceed six months
- Renewal: the same duration rules apply to renewal
- Cessation: a booking-office licence ceases to have effect if its holder becomes disqualified by immigration status
Current official sourceRight to licence prescribed checks and supplemental verification
The checked local Aberdeen form does not state which prescribed method the council will use or how evidence for that method should be supplied in a particular case.
- Stage: new, renewal and extension applications by an individual
- Prescribed Methods: manual check of original acceptable documents; right-to-work check using a Digital Verification Service for a British or Irish citizen, with the digital route limited to a valid passport or Irish passport card; Home Office online right-to-work check for a non-British or non-Irish citizen
- Supplemental Status Verification Enquiries And Checking Service: SVEC can verify specified cases such as an outstanding application, administrative review or appeal, a non-digital Certificate of Application or status needing Home Office verification; it is not a fourth prescribed method
- Separate Legal Entity: a limited company or limited liability partnership is outside the individual check described by the guidance