Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Fares

Taxi Fares as at 1st December 2022

Fees and Meeting Dates

Limit on Taxi Licences

At its meeting held on 2nd March 2017 the Licensing Committee considered the Dundee Taxi Survey Report 2017 (597KB PDF) and agreed :

that there was no significant demand for taxis in terms of Section 10(3) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982;
to resolve that no new licences be issued until the number of licences fell below 555, at which time a further survey would be undertaken to determine if that figure was still appropriate as an indicator of unmet demand, subject always to the Committee's legal duty to consider, in individual cases, whether any exceptions should be made to that limit;
that a full survey be held in 3 years time with interim or top up surveys annually; and
to note that the report to be prepared by officers containing proposals for the maintenance of the 60/40 WAV/Saloon car split decided by the Committee at the meeting on 23rd October, 2012, with particular attention to how such licences would be allocated between operators, would only be forthcoming as and when a report indicating that there was significant unmet demand was received.

Further details and policy reports can be found at:

Minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee on 27th June 2013
Minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee on 23rd October 2012
Minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee on 20th December 2011

Taxi Driver Training

The Licensing Committee have agreed that all drivers should be trained to SVQ level 2 or equivalent by 31st May 2022.

Courses have been approved and the details of the course can be found by contacting the following:

EN Recruitment Services : 01382 322330 and

Unite the Union : 01382 811573

To book a place on a training course please email Dave at enquiries@taxi-training-dundee.co.uk

The benefits of training are

For the trade it will:

Improve the image of the taxi trade
Result in a better quality of service and reduce the number of complaints
Provide a better image of Dundee, especially with visitors and tourists

For the operator/taxi offices it will:

Attract more drivers with the right skills
Improve reliability and retention of drivers
Improve competitiveness and best value
Raise standards in the quality of service provided
Increase customer satisfaction, reduce complaints and liabilities
Improve loyalty of customers
Raise the profile of the company
Improve business performance

For the driver it will provide:

Improved self-esteem and job satisfaction
The prospect to enhance earnings through quality of service provided
The opportunity to work in an acknowledged profession
An opportunity to engage in learning and obtain a recognised qualification
Enhance the quality of service provided
The potential to reduce insurance costs

For Dundee City Council it will:

Reduce costs of monitoring drivers
Result in fewer complaints and public risk
Make it easier for local authorities to collaborate on licensing regimes thereby assisting labour mobility
Local authorities create a locally licensed service which achieves nationally recognised standards

There are over 700 Licensed Taxis and Private Cars in Dundee. The majority of vehicles are saloon cars which are licensed to carry 4 passengers. There are over 200 wheelchair accessible taxis which can carry a maximum of 8 passengers. Stretched limos are licensed as Private Hire Cars.

Taxis can pick up passengers in the street whilst Private Hire Cars must be prebooked.

Police Scotland are consulted on all applications and applicants for Taxi Driver Licences need to pass a Knowledge Test.

All vehicles are tested to high standard.

Applications are considered by the Licensing Committee which meets monthly, with the exception of August, when the Council is in recess.

Taxi Driver's Licence - Apply Online, Guidance Notes and Conditions

Commonly called a Taxi Badge and needed to drive a Taxi or Private Hire Car fitted with a taximeter. The Licensing Committee have agreed that all drivers should be trained to SVQ level 2 or equivalent before they are issued a licence. See taxi driver training link above for more details.

For the avoidance of doubt no temporary licences are being issued until the training is completed.

You can apply and pay online at my.dundeecity.gov.uk.

First-time applicants must give confirmation that you are aware of the guidance about your tax obligations.

Schedule 23 to Finance Act 2011 (Data Gathering Powers) and Schedule 36 to Finance Act 2008 (Information and Inspection Powers), grant HMRC powers to obtain relevant information from third parties. This includes licensing bodies being required to provide information about licence applicants.

You need to complete a tax check the following GOV.UK website addresses for HMRC guidance about tax registration obligations:

You can complete a self assessement at www.gov.uk

Taxi Operator's Licence - Apply Online, Guidance Notes and Conditions

See application form for circumstances under which a Taxi Licence will be issued.

You can apply and pay online at my.dundeecity.gov.uk.

Private Hire Car Driver's Licence - Apply Online and Conditions

This is needed to drive a Private Hire Car. This only allows the holder to drive a Private Hire Car which is NOT fitted with a taximeter. Anyone wishing to drive a Private Hire Car which is fitted with a taximeter should apply for a Taxi Driver's Licence.

You can apply and pay online at my.dundeecity.gov.uk.

Download Private Hire Car Driver Licence Conditions

First-time applicants must give confirmation that you are aware of the guidance about your tax obligations.

You need to complete a tax check the following GOV.UK website addresses for HMRC guidance about tax registration obligations:

You can complete a self assessement at www.gov.uk

Private Hire Car Operator's Licence - Apply Online and Conditions

This is needed to put a vehicle on the road as a Private Hire Car (note that this Licence also covers Limousines and Airport Transfer Vehicles). Any new plate granted after 1st September 2016 will need to meet the Electric vehicle policy see below link for details.

You can apply and pay online at my.dundeecity.gov.uk

Taxi & Private Hire Booking Licence - Apply Online and Conditions

This is required when bookings are being taken from premises where there are more than 3 vehicles operating as Taxis or Private Hire Cars.

You can apply and pay online at my.dundeecity.gov.uk

Download Taxi & Private Hire Booking Office Conditions

First-time applicants must give confirmation that you are aware of the guidance about your tax obligations.

You need to complete a tax check the following GOV.UK website addresses for HMRC guidance about tax registration obligations:

You can complete a self assessement on www.gov.uk

Variation to Licence - Forms

The Council allow up to full livery advertising on Taxis and a limited form of advertising on Private Hire Cars. Full details of the criteria allowing advertising is included in the notes of guidance on the application form.

Tinited windows is only allowed on Private Hire Vehicles under delagted powers if the application is for a Taxi Operators Licence then this would need to go to the Licensing Committee.

For applications and price list for CCTV if you email licensing.board@dundeecity.gov.uk we will arrange to send you the details or call the office on 01382 434444.

Once completed this form should be emailed to licensing.board@dundeecity.gov.uk and payment made using mydundee.

CCTV in Taxis/Private Hire Cars - Application Forms and Guidance Notes

In allowing the installation and use of CCTV the Licensing Committee recognises that such systems can be used to prevent and detect crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance the safety of taxis and private hire car drivers as well as their passenger.

This policy also seeks to ensure that the installation and operation of CCTV systems do not compromise the safety of either drivers or passengers or unreasonably interfere with the privacy of member of the public.

In order to have CCTV installed in your car you must notify apply for a request for variation to your licence this can be done by completing an application for variation and paying the fee of £50, the request will be approved under delegated powers and we will write to you with the details of how to order the CCTV along with the discount code.

The only CCTV systems that can be installed are the ones which have been approved by the Licensing Committee. For applications and price list for CCTV if you email licensing.board@dundeecity.gov.uk we will arrange to send you the details or call the office on 01382 434444.

Download the CCTV Policy.

Once completed this form should be emailed to licensing.board@dundeecity.gov.uk and we will send you a link to make payment.

Drivers Group 2 Standards - Conditions and Guidance

Taxi and Private Hire Drivers must meet group 2 standards as stated in the conditions of the licence. If your circumstances change and you do not meet group 2 standards or are not sure if you meet group 2 standards then you must notify the Licensing Office, you can contact the office on 01382 434403, licensing.board@dundeecity.gov.uk or by visiting the office at 20 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY.

The guidance can be found on the Government's website - if you are unsure you can contact your doctor and they can advise you if you meet group 2 standards and if you should notify the office.

Taxi Survey Reports

Policies

Policy on Exemptions from carrying Assistance Dogs (1 April 2012)
Section 21 Guidance - Out of Dundee Journeys

LEZ Retrofit

The LEZ Retrofit Fund has re opened for new applications, You can apply online via the Energy Saving Trust's website.

Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Related Links

Dundee City Council