As we always talk about the negative points from west lothian it is faire enough to point to the positive point

Recently west lothian licence department has agreed to allow taxi and private hire drivers in west lothian to Install cctv camera in they cars and for sure it is a great point as it will help and support not just the drivers also Passenger who using taxis service west lothian and well help to reduce too many complain from both sides

PRIVATE HIRE AND TAXIS IN WEST LOTHIAN ARE NOW ALLOWED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES

BY CCTV CAMERA

GREAT STEP FROM WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL TO PROTECT ALLOT OF TAXI DRIVERS AND ALSO INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY TAXI OR PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS ,PERSONALLY I BELIEVE IT IS A GREAT STEP AND FOR SURE IN THE RIGHT WAY 

to download application for cctv camera please click here >>>>

Licences - private hire driver

All private hire car drivers (PHC) must hold a current "West Lothian Council - PHC Drivers Licence".  This licence forms part of the taxi and private hire car licensing scheme administered by the council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.  To apply for a PHC drivers licence you must be 18 or over and have held a full DVLC drivers licence for 12 months.

All applicants are checked - this is a mandatory check carried out by the Lothian and Borders Police and the applications is not subject to the Offenders and Rehabilitation Act.  

Licence Fees:

Further information can be obtained from the Licensing Team on 01506 777229 or 01506 777230 or by e-mail 

Downloadable Application form for

Licences - private hire vehicle operator

The majority of Private Hire Cars (PHC) within West Lothian will require to be licensed.  However, cars used exclusively for wedding and funerals or are on 24 hours or more contract hire are exempted from the licensing requirements.  Anyone may apply for a PHC operators licence, and subject to mandatory background checks a licence may be granted. Unlike taxis there is no restriction on the number of PHC which can operate within West Lothian.

The council has set a specification for vehicles which may be licensed as a PHC.  These specifications are subject to review to ensure they continue to provide a standard to meet public expectation regarding safety, comfort and ease of access.  The council adopted the policy that all new vehicles authorized as a PHC must be easily accessed by mobility impared clients.

there is also more information will be found on the application form

The specification for vehicles is attached to the application.  Additional information may be obtaied from the Licensing Team on 01506 777229 or 01506 777230 or by e-mail. 

Licence fees:

Downloadable documents

Licences - Hackney carriage (taxi)

Usually a taxi is a black cab based on the "London Cab".  However, taxis within West Lothian comprise of saloon vehicles (cars) and Multi-people carriers (MPV).  Anyone may apply for a taxi operators licence, and subject to availability of plates and the mandatory background checks a licence may be granted. The number of taxis within West Lothian is restricted, this restriction is reviewed at regular intervals by the council.

The council has set a specification for vehicles which may be licensed as a taxi.  These specifications are subject to review to ensure they continue to provide a standard to meet public expectation regarding safety, comfort and ease of access.  The council adopted the policy that all new vehicles authorized as a taxi must be wheelchair accessible.

The specification for vehicles is attached to the application.  Additional information may be obtaied from the Licensing Team on 01506 777229 or 01506 777230), or by e-mail . 

Licence fees:

A full list of all licence fees and applications forms are available from this page: 

Downloadable documents

to download the application please       click here -->>>

Taxis and minicabs (Private Hire Cars)

The Council's Licensing Team working in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police and other council services administers the Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing Scheme. All taxis and private hire cars operating within West Lothian require to hold a West Lothian taxi or private hire car plate. The licence plate is affixed to the front and rear or all authorized taxis and private hire cars. This plate details the description, registration of the vehicle and the expiry date of the licence. Please note after consultation with the taxi trade it was agreed that a limit be set on the number of taxis operating in West Lothian, this limit is currently set at 166. The council is obliged by law to carry out a review of the limit, the last review was November 2006 where an increase in taxis was authorized.

Drivers of taxis or private hire cars must hold either a taxi drivers licence (allows authorized driver to drive a taxi or private hire cars) or a private hire car drivers licence (allows holder to drive private hire cars only).

Further infomation can eb obtained from the Licensing Team on 01506 777229 or 01506 777230 or by e-mail.

Downloadable documents

to download application please     click here --->>>