Taxi and PHC Testing and Renewal 13 5 26
Renfrewshire Council · 4 June 2026
Back to Regulatory Functions Board — 4 June 2026 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Regulatory Functions Board On: 4th June 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Taxi and Private Hire Car Testing and Renewal: June to September 2026 Renewals ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise the Board of ongoing challenges regarding testing and renewal of taxi and private hire car licences in periods of peak demand and to seek a temporary change to the Council’s current policies relating to the duration of renewal of certain licences affected during these periods and the fees payable. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: 2.1.1 Agree a policy that taxi and private hire car licences previously extended for a period of three months during the coronavirus pandemic be renewed, in respect of their 2026 renewal application only, for a period of 21 months; 2.2.2 Agree that a reduced fee of £317 be payable in respect of these renewal applications; and 2.2.3 Otherwise note the terms of the report. ._________________________________________________________
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3. Background 3.1 On 9th April 2020, the Council’s Emergencies Board considered a report in relation to Licensing Contingency Measures. The report proposed unprecedented emergency measures to allow the Council’s licensing service to function during the initial lockdown which resulted from the coronavirus pandemic. The measures were necessary as, at that time, the Council was closed and unable to accept applications for grant or renewal of licences. 3.2 One of the measures proposed, and agreed by the Emergencies Board on that date, was to delegate powers to officers to extend the duration of licences, including taxi and private hire car licences. As a result, the expiry dates of licences between March and June 2020 were extended as follows: Date of Expiry Date of Extension 31 March 2020 30 June 2020 30 April 2020 31 July 2020 31 May 2020 31 August 2020 30 June 2020 30 September 2020 This ensured that licence holders were entitled to continue to operate under their licences until new arrangements were able to be put in place for the submission of licence applications. The affected licence holders were not required to make payment of any further fee in relation to the extension of their licences as set out above. 3.3 While the above arrangements were necessary to introduce in 2020, they have however resulted in ongoing challenges when the affected licences have fallen due for renewal. 3.4 Prior to an application for renewal of a taxi or private hire car licence being made, licence holders require to arrange for testing of their vehicles at the Council’s inspection depot at Underwood Road and to obtain a vehicle pass certificate as part of their renewal application. They usually do so within the 8 weeks prior to submitting their renewal applications. However, the previous extension of licence expiry dates has resulted in a concentration of licence renewal dates in the months of July to September every second year, with very few renewal dates within the months March to May. This is impacting heavily on the inspection centre’s capacity to meet the testing requirement in the period from July
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to September, while numerous available testing slots during the earlier months are unused. 3.5 Officers have, at the time of previous renewals since 2020, encouraged taxi and private hire car licence holders to arrange their vehicle tests for an earlier date. This has previously been successful and has allowed licence holders to obtain their vehicle pass certificates and submit their renewal applications, to avoid licences being lost. However, it is evident that the above challenges will continue in future years, unless steps are taken to address the imbalance. The testing centre have also advised that they have serious concerns regarding availability of tests and the expected demand throughout the summer period. 3.6 The situation was discussed at meetings between officers and representatives of the taxi and private hire trades on 13th March 2026. Officers highlighted the demand for tests over the period from June to September and requested licence holders arrange their tests as early as possible to ensure vehicles are inspected timeously. While concerns were raised by the taxi trade as to whether three-monthly tests should be necessary for older vehicles (and whether three year licences should be introduced), a suggestion was made from the trade as a potential solution to the above issue. There was support for the licences previously extended being brought back into line with their original expiry dates, with a reduced fee being payable to reflect the shorter period of licence, at their next renewal. Discussion was also held with the private hire car representatives on the same date when this suggestion was canvassed as a possible solution. No adverse comments were made by the private hire representatives. Next Steps 3.7 Officers have identified that 155 taxi and private hire (vehicle) licence expiry dates were extended in 2020. A breakdown of these expiries per month is attached at Appendix 1 to this report. 3.8 Applications for renewal of these licences will continue to be received over the Spring and Summer months. The Board is requested to agree a policy that, instead of the usual two year renewal period, these licences will, for the current renewal cycle only, be granted for a reduced period of 21 months. To reflect this shorter period of renewal, it is recommended that the Board also agree a 1/8th reduction in the £363 fee payable in respect of these applications (£317) to reflect the shorter period of licence. While the proposed policy will not assist in relation to the testing of vehicles during 2026, it is expected that it will address the issue for subsequent renewals.
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3.9 Should the Board agree the recommendations above, officers will contact affected licence holders to advise them of the proposed policy. As licence applications are now submitted and paid for electronically, with a fee calculated based on the licence type, officers will require to identify the affected applications and arrange for appropriate refunds to the applicants. _________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The recommendations in the report, if agreed, will result in some licences being granted for a period shorter than the usual period of 2 years, with the fee income relating to these licences being reduced on a prorata basis at the time of the current renewal. As affected applicants would require to apply for their next licence three months earlier than under the usual policy, it is anticipated that the recommendations will be cost neutral in the medium term. The proposal would also allow for efficiencies at the Council’s vehicle testing centre, by bringing availability of tests into line with demand. 2. HR & Organisational Development – Nil 3. Community/ Council Planning – Nil 4. Legal – Licences may be granted for a maximum period of three years, or shorter period as the licensing authority decides when they grant or renew a licence. The Council requires to set fees for licence applications on a cost recovery basis. 5. Property/Assets – Nil 6. Information Technology – Nil 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report, as the report only proposes a temporary change to the Council’s policy regarding taxi and private hire car renewal periods and fees, to address the challenges detailed in the report.
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8. Health & Safety - Nil 9. Procurement – Nil 10. Risk - Nil 11. Privacy Impact – Nil 12. Climate Risk- Nil 13. Children’s Rights- the recommendations in the report are not considered to be incompatible with the UNCRC 14. Cosla Policy Position – Nil _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers- None. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Douglas Campbell, Managing Solicitor (Licensing), 0141-487-1096, douglas.campbell@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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APPENDIX 1 Monthly Breakdown of Extended Taxi/ Private Hire Car (Vehicle) Expiries Month Number of Licences June 15 July 19 August 30 September 91 Total 155