Taxi licences
Read this guide if you need to apply for a licence for a taxi or private hire vehicle.
Licensing register
Taxi and private hire licences
Stirling Council issues licences for taxis and private hire vehicles operating in the Council area. Licences are for vehicles that can carry up to 8 passengers. If you need a licence for a vehicle with more capacity, you should contact the Scottish Traffic Commissioner.
The number of taxi vehicle licences in the Council area is capped at 79. 11 of these plates are specifically for the rural areas and cannot ply for hire within a 5 mile radius of Stirling city centre.
Unmet Demand survey report
The Council recently instructed Licensed Vehicle Surveys & Assessment (LVSA) to undertake a survey of taxi unmet demand and private hire overprovision assessment. The outcome of the Survey was reported to the Council’s Planning and Regulation Panel (the “Panel”) at its meeting on 28 February 2023
The Panel agreed that the Council should now proceed to consult with licence holders, the public and the Council’s statutory partners on the proposed recommendations. The Council is now seeking your views on the Survey findings and proposals. These can be sent to
civiclicensing@stirling.gov.uk.
Taxi vehicle licence
A licence is required for vehicles which ply for hire in the street – the driver can accept passengers for reward at taxi stances, in the street and can be flagged down by members of the public. Taxi vehicle operators can also accept pre-arranged bookings.
When you submit your application, include:
- details of your car's insurance
- an MOT certificate if the car is over 1 year old
- a V5 certificate
The fee for a taxi vehicle licence is £257 for one year.
The roof sign will carry the Stirling Council logo and identify the taxi plate number at both sides of the roof bar, for example: T350.
Council plates are green in colour and are found on the rear and front bumper of the car. They have the vehicle licence number, vehicle registration number, vehicle make and colour and expiry date.
Restricted taxi vehicle licences will have white plates showing the same details. These vehicles cannot ply for hire within a 5-mile radius of Stirling city centre.
Download the council plate specification guide
Taxis must carry a fare table. This must be on display at all times.
Online payment for new applicants and renewals
Pay using bank transfer
Payments can be made via bank transfer to the below account:
Account Name: Stirling Council
Sort Code: 832709
Account Number: 00135220
Reference: Quote Your Name or Licence Number.
Taxi driver licence
Licenced taxi drivers can drive taxis and private hire vehicles.
When you submit your application, you should include:
- two passport-style photos, signed on the reverse
- either a passport or birth certificate
- your DVLA driver summary check
- your DVLA photocard licence
The fee for a taxi driver licence is £157 for one year.
The address on the application and your DVLA licence should be the same. If you do not have a valid DVLA licence your application cannot be considered. You cannot apply for a taxi driver's licence if you have held your driver's licence for less than 12 months. You are also required to declare any criminal convictions which are not treated as being spent.
Taxi vehicle specification Vehicle inspection
The holder of the licence must present the vehicle to one of the approved Council garages to undergo and pass an annual inspection.
Vehicles can be no more than five years old when first being licensed by Stirling Council. There is no upper age limit for vehicles after they are licensed.
Vehicles are subject to frequent testing depending on the age and type of vehicle.
More information can be found here.
Condition of Vehicles
The holder of the licence shall ensure that the vehicle, including all bodywork, upholstery, and fittings, is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition, and subject to prevailing road conditions, is kept clean and tidy both internally and externally.
Display of Plates and Signs
The holder of the licence shall ensure that while the vehicle is in use as a taxi, any licence and fare plates issued by the Council are displayed
Taxi Vehicle Test Certificate
Once the vehicle has passed on all points, the inspector from the garage will send a completed Test Certificate to the Licensing Section and the Taxi Vehicle Licence and plates will be issued.
Private hire vehicle licence
Vehicles with a private hire licence can only accept bookings that are made by prior arrangement for a journey or hire. Private hire vehicles in Stirling cannot be white or silver in colour and are not allowed to have roof signs
When you submit your application, you should include:
- details of your car's insurance
- an MOT certificate if the car is over 1 year old
- a V5 certificate
The fee for a private hire vehicle licence is £174.
Council plates are purple in colour and are found on the rear and front bumper of the car. They have the vehicle licence number, vehicle registration number, vehicle make and colour and expiry date.
Private hire driver licence
Private hire drivers are only licences to drive private hire vehicles. When you submit your application, you should include:
- two passport-style photos, signed on the reverse
- either a passport or birth certificate
- your DVLA driver summary check
- your DVLA photocard licence
The fee for a private hire driver's licence is £157 for one year.
The address on the application and your DVLA licence should be the same. If you do not have a valid DVLA licence your application cannot be considered.
Private hire vehicle specification
Vehicle inspection
The holder of the licence must present the vehicle to one of the approved Council garages to undergo and pass an annual inspection. Vehicles can be no more than five years old when first being licensed by Stirling Council. There is no upper age limit for vehicles after they are licensed. Vehicles are subject to frequent testing depending on the age and type of vehicle.
More information on the specification of private hire vehicles can be found here.
Condition of vehicles
The holder of the licence must ensure that the vehicle, including all bodywork, upholstery and fittings, is maintained in a safe and serviceable condition and, subject to prevailing road conditions, is kept clean and tidy internally and externally.
Display of plates and signs
The holder of the licence shall ensure that while the vehicle is in use as a taxi, any licence and fare plates issued by the Council are displayed.
Private hire test certificate
Once the vehicle has passed on all points, the inspector from the garage will send a completed test certificate to the licensing section and the licence and plates will be issued.