Taxi Driver Online

Hello everyone. This is my first post so please be gentle with me.

I am thinking of getting a taxi driver licence. I have read all informations about that on council website but I still have one concern.
According to the website application process look like that:
1. Topographical Test (knowledge of the city test)
2. Satisfactory Medical Examination
3. Satisfactory Police Vetting
4. Licensing Conditions and Road Safety Issues
5. Wheelchair Access & Disability Awareness

Can anyone please tell me when can I expect committee hearing? I guess it is after step 3 (Satisfactory Police Vetting). Or is it next thing after applying for the licence? (before test).
I know I will have to attend committee because I had one conviction in the past. I attended committee hearing last year after applying for Private Hire which was refused. The reason was that my conviction happened less then 5 years ago. Now it will be over 5 years so the chances of being granted are higher.


One thing more. How much time does it take from applying to the Topographical Test?
Thanks for help in advance.

I can't give you much detail on the application process in Edinburgh, it varies across the country.
Plenty of Edinburgh guys on here will know.

Under the CGSA 1982 they must look at your application within 3 months and make a decision within 6 months.

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id say forget it, save your time and money
if they have refused you on a ph license then they will probably refuse a taxi license
im not saying its right but its just the way they are.

Hi , thanks for replies.

To ALI T:

On my last committee most of counsellors were with me. They were telling the main guy to give me a licence with a warning but the main guy said it hasn`t been 5 years yet and he refused. I am aware that this time he can came up with some another reason to not to grant me a licence:(
I really want to be a taxi driver and I think I will take a risk. I know it may be waste of time and money but I will not know until I try.

Unfortunately, Ali's correct, however, depending on your situation, you might be able to challenge their “fit and proper person” test on appeal, if you can access Legal Aid. You need to show their decision-making process to be fundamentally flawed, denying you a fair hearing.

The council has no criteria, definition, threshold, bench marks or precedent for deciding who is fit and proper to drive a taxi. They simply make it up as they go along.

The hard thing is, even if their procedures are found wanting, the Sheriff is likely to remit your case back to the council for reconsideration. You could end up having to challenge the legislation directly.

If you can get Legal Aid, and a lawyer to take your case, then go for it, but it could be a while before you see your licence.

It might be an idea to ask under the Freedom of Information Act, for the records of serving taxi drivers, with offences similar to yourself. Whether they will give you, the info is a different matter. Have a wee chat with a lawyer to see where you stand.

Can you say what the offence was?

If it's sex or drug related I wouldn't bother.

It never stopped you.

Unfortunately my offence was quite serious but it could have been worse. I was caught by police in possession of vehicle whilst alcohol level above the limit. Basically I was sitting drunk behind the wheel with keys in the ignition. An engine was off.
Later in court I told them that I wanted to sleep there until next morning but my car was parked on double yellow line. So they asked what would I do if I was told by parking attendant to take off next morning ( they imposed it will be 6 am in the morning). I said I would leave. So the court has made some calculations and they told me that I still would be above the limit at 6 o`clock in the morning.


I got 6 month ban and 450 pound fine. My offence was DR 40.

DD, bad news but at least it is an offence that can be re-hab'd, as it's over 5 years and you haven't done it again I think you should mhave a chance, however insurance companies will probably keep you out on this one, I would expect a premium that rolls in to the 3-4k bracket if not more, and that lasts for 10 years that one.

If it is that sort of cost mate, I'd seriously re-consider wanting in tbh, there isn't the sort of money in the job for £80pw insurance policies, plus it takes your life away as well, think very carefully before you jump in, it's a nasty job these days.

Slavol, we’ve all done things we shouldn’t have, you were caught and punished, quite rightly so, but the punishment shouldn’t last “forever”. However, you say that you were, “Over the limit”. Eh ?. You got in the car, put the key in the ignition, and then fell asleep ?
How much, “Over the limit”, were you ?. I have, (to my eternal shame), driven a car whilst,
“Being over the limit”. Unlike you, I wasn’t, “Caught”, and thankfully no one was hurt.
It was many years ago, and I realise that it was luck rather than good judgement that no one was hurt. ( there will be many drivers out there that, I’m sure, will have done the same).
But you ,reading between the lines, must have been a wee bit more than, “Over the limit”.

Try the Rickshaws !.

Plus, you were on, “Double Yelly’s”. Feckin’ Anarchist !!.

Unfortunately, and maybe rightly so, a DR40, is the mark of Cane. You do the crime. You do the time, and that's decided by the insurance companies in this case. I would jump through the hoops and go for the brief and see what deal is available driving on someone's insurance. You will have to cop for the increase but time never stands still, and you've waited this long.

The story was that me and my mate went out but I didn`t want to drink at all because of driving. But I guess he convinced me somehow for a couple of drinks. After that we decided to sleep in the car. We were sitting in the car and just chatting and suddenly someone pulled me out of the car. It was police. I am sure someone working in that pub ( doorman or whatever) reported me to police.
I had my keys in ignition because I wanted to open my electric windows and sunroof because of cigs smoke.
I had 101 mg alcohol in my breath ( 3 times over the limit)
Sad story . I regret it everyday.
I was just 20 years old when it happened so maybe committee will look at it as mistake of youth.

They must have a set criteria laid down as to when anyone with a certain conviction can apply/re-apply for a license.

Ask them for a copy. If they don't have one then ask them how they decide on these issues.

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IDFIMH