Item 9 - Changes to Knowledge Test Procedure
West Dunbartonshire Council · 7 October 2026
Back to Licensing Committee — 7 October 2026 and its agenda
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Official
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Report by Chief Officer - Regulatory and Regeneration
Licensing Committee – 7 October 2026
Subject: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982
Proposed change to Knowledge Test procedure for Taxi/Private
Hire Car Driver applicants
1. Purpose
1.1 To seek approval from the Committee to change the procedure for
applicant's when applying for the grant of a Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver's
Licence.
2. Recommendations
2.1 It is recommended that applications for the grant of a Taxi/Private Hire Car
Driver's Licence be accepted prior to sitting the knowledge test. Members
are asked to consider the proposed options listed at 4.8 of the report.
3. Background
3.1 Section 13(5) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 states:-
‘a licensing authority may require an applicant for a Taxi or Private Hire
Car Driver’s Licence to take a test of his or her knowledge of the area to
which the licence is to relate, of the roads in that area and such other
matters relating to the operating of a taxi or private hire car as the authority
considers desirable.’
3.2 At present, the practice in West Dunbartonshire has been that candidates
who wish to apply for the grant of a Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence
must pass such a test ("The Knowledge Test”) prior to an application being
accepted.
3.3 Prospective candidates advise Licensing staff that they wish to sit the Taxi/
Private Hire Car Driver knowledge test. Staff from Central Admin Support
(CAS) then arrange appointments to be carried out on stipulated dates and
times. The test comprises of a number of multiple-choice questions
covering:-
(a) The location of public buildings and landmarks
(b) The areas in which specific street names are located
(c) The shortest practicable route of a specified journey
(d) Highway Code
(e) Taxi /Private Hire Car Driver conditions
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Official The knowledge test covers either the Clydebank zone or the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven zone dependent on the applicant’s choice. The pass mark for the test is set at 75%. 3.4 Once the candidates complete the knowledge test, the papers are scanned and forwarded to Licensing for marking. Candidates are then advised of the outcome of the test and successful applicants are free to submit the grant application. Currently candidates who fail the test can then go through the process again and resit the test at a future date and time as often as they wish. No fee is charged for sitting the knowledge test and at this stage in the process there are no checks carried out on the individuals concerned. 4. Main Issues 4.1 In recent years the number of candidates wishing to take the knowledge test has grown significantly. There is however an ongoing issue regarding the number of candidates who arrange to attend for the test but then do not show up and also the high number of candidates who are unsuccessful and require multiple resits. 4.2 So far in 2026, 132 knowledge tests have been carried out. Of these, 32 (25.8%) have failed to attend with the vast majority not providing any notification. 63 candidates (51.5%) were unsuccessful and 30 (22.7%) have passed. 4.3 Of the 30 successful candidates, 23 passed on their first attempt, 2 passed on their second attempt and 3 passed on their third attempt. One candidate took 6 attempts and one candidate passed on their seventh attempt. 4.4 Of the 63 candidates who failed the test and have not subsequently passed, 13 have sat the test on 1 occasion while the remainder have sat the test on multiple occasions. 4.5 The underlying issue appears to be the lack of preparation or local knowledge candidates have when sitting the knowledge test as many of the scores are well below the 75% pass mark. It is envisaged that requiring candidates to apply for the grant of the taxi/private hire car driver's licence before sitting the knowledge test will reduce the number of candidates who are attempting the test with no study preparation and remove the number of people who book in and fail to attend and therefore free up resources in both Licensing and CAS. 4.7 Enquiries have been made with neighbouring local authorities. Glasgow City Council appear to be the only other authority who insist on a knowledge test before an application can be accepted and they impose a £30.00 fee which is non-refundable and separate to the application fee. Page 2
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Official The following table summarises the response we have received to the benchmarking exercise where an applicant fails to pass the knowledge test after submitting an application. None of the following Local Authorities issue a refund where the applicant is unsuccessful. Local Authority Knowledge Test Attempts Outcome Angus Taken after application submitted Maximum 3 – no additional fee Referred to Committee for determination Dundee Taken after application submitted Unlimited attempts within 9 months – A fee of £20 is charged for the first attempt. Application deemed incompetent Renfrewshire Taken after application submitted Maximum 3 – no additional fee Referred to Committee for determination South Ayrshire Taken as part of an additional college course costing £170. Course must be passed within 6 months of the licence being issued Referred to Committee for determination South Lanarkshire Taken after application submitted Unlimited number of attempts within 6 months. Additional fee of £35.59 Refusal under delegated powers 4.8 Members may wish to consider the following options:- (a) Applicants have 3 attempts to pass the knowledge test. If they are unsuccessful the application is refused under delegated powers with no refund. (b) Applicants have 3 attempts to pass the knowledge test. If unsuccessful the application is referred to Committee with a recommendation for refusal and no refund. (c) Retain the current position of allowing unlimited numbers of knowledge tests. (d) Impose a charge for the knowledge test which must be paid in advance of accepting an application with the fee being separate to the application fee. 5. People Implications 5.1 The requirement for knowledge tests to be taken after an application has been submitted would free resources in both Licensing and CAS to allow staff to deal with other matters. Page 3
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Official 6. Financial Implications 6.1 There are no financial implications for the Council arising from this report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There is no increased risk to the Council associated with the contents of this report. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 EIA 994: The Council is permitted by the 1982 Act to test potential applicants for Taxi and Private Hire Car Driver Licences of their local knowledge. Such a test may be a barrier to some groups however these barriers can be overcome by reasonable adjustments in the sitting of the test. 9. Consultation 9.1 The 4 licensed Taxi/Private Hire Car Booking Offices were consulted seeking their view on requiring applicants to apply before sitting the knowledge test. Three responses were received all in favour of the proposal. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 In terms of the Council's Strategic Priorities, the purpose of licensing is to ensure our Communities are Resilient and Thriving. Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Date 14 September 2026 Person to Contact: Robert Mackie Senior Officer (Licensing Services)gall Manager of Legal Services Legal Services Municipal Buildings College Street Dumbarton G82 1NR michael.mcdougall@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: N/A Page 4
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Official Background Papers: 1. Licensing Committee Report dated 2 August 2023 2. Scottish Government Guidance in relation to Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing (3rd Edition) Page 5