New arrangements are in place for taxi and private hire licensing applications in East Dunbartonshire.
Applications now need to be made online - streamlining the process, maximising safety as the Council continues to meet the challenges of COVID-19 and increasing efficiency - including:
- Taxi/Private Hire Driver Applications/Renewals
- Change Of Vehicle/Registration Applications
- Taxi/Private Hire Operator Applications/Renewals.
Once an application is approved for granting, then - where appropriate - the Council's Customer Services team will issue any necessary paperwork, licence or permission by post - removing the need for face-to-face contact.
In some instances, however, this will not be possible. In particular, all applications for new/renewed taxi and private hire driver and operator licences will require a face-to-face meeting at the end of the process.
Where this is needed, Customer Services will be in touch with the applicant to arrange an appointment to attend with originals of the supporting documentation.
For the time being, face-to-face licensing appointments will take place exclusively at Bearsden Community Hub.
Appointments will be held Monday to Friday, between 9.30am and 4pm, and may last up to 25-30 minutes, depending on the nature of the application and documentation to be verified.
Assuming that everything is in order, the licence will be granted and the relevant documentation, badge and/or plates will be provided to the applicant at the end of the appointment.
For more information, visit covid-19-licensing-update
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council, said, "A lot of work has taken place behind the scenes to ensure we are able to process taxi and private hire licensing applications while ensuring safety for the public and our officers as much as possible. Well done to everyone involved and I hope the new streamlined system proves beneficial for all moving forward."
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council, added, "The taxi and private hire trade is vital to the economy of East Dunbartonshire and we want to ensure we provide as much support as possible, including temporary extensions during the 'lockdown' phase of the pandemic and the establishment of a Taxi and Private Hire Forum."
The Council is also accepting new applications for other forms of licensing. Visit covid-19-licensing-update for full details.
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