Technical Notes 2026, Issue 166 - Regulation of Authorised Testing Centres – Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles
- The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members regarding the implementation of measures to improve the regulation of Testing Centres which are authorised to undertake inspections of taxis and private hire vehicles on behalf of the Council
- As Members will be aware, the holder of a taxi or private hire car licence is obliged in terms of section 11 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to present the taxi or private hire car vehicle for inspection and testing within such period and at such place as the licensing authority may by notice reasonably require. The purpose of the vehicle inspection is to ensure that the vehicle is safe to use as a taxi or private hire car vehicle and that the vehicle meets the Council’s vehicle specification requirements. For taxis, this will include ensuring that the taximeter is operating correctly and in accordance with the Council’s approved scale of fees and charges
- The vehicle inspection can be carried out by the Council or on its behalf by an authorised Testing Centre. Prior to the review, there were twelve Testing Centres (including Hilton Depot in Bishopbriggs which is operated by the Council) which have been approved by the Council at various meetings of the Civic Government Appeals Board to undertake vehicle inspections
- Members will recall that the Policy & Resources Committee approved a new system for the grant and renewal of authorisations and an updated Schedule of Conditions which clearly sets out the expectations of the Council in relation to the technical aspects of the inspection and the administrative requirements, including retention of records. The updated Schedule of Conditions also provides greater transparency as to the basis upon which Testing Centres will be inspected by the Council in the proposed inspection regime
- Following approval of the new system for authorisation, Officers in Licensing invited applications from Testing Centres to be approved to undertake vehicle inspections on behalf of the Council. Eight applications were received (seven of which were from Testing Centres with an existing authorisation to undertake vehicle testing on behalf of the Council). These applications have been processed and currently six Testing Centres have been authorised to undertake vehicle inspections. This includes Hilton Depot. Further supporting information has been requested from the remaining applicants and authorisations will be issued on receipt of the required information
- Notification will be given to the existing Authorised Testing Centres which did not apply for re-authorisation that, with effect from 1 January 2027, they will no longer be permitted to undertake vehicle inspections on behalf of the Council. Any late or subsequent applications for authorisation will be considered by the Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer in terms of her delegated powers
- In support of the above, Officers in Licensing continue to work with colleagues in Business and Digital Change to implement an online system for the reporting of vehicle inspections, which will lead to efficiencies in the processing of the inspections. In addition, licensing enforcement inspections will commence. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that Authorised Testing Centres are undertaking vehicle inspections in compliance with the conditions of authorisation.