Aberdeen City Council has initiated a public consultation seeking residents’ opinions on a series of proposed changes to the city’s taxi and private hire regulations. The review addresses long-standing concerns, most notably the controversial street knowledge test, which critics argue is a significant barrier to entry for prospective drivers and contributes to the city’s persistent shortage of licensed vehicles.
The Granite City currently operates with 508 licensed taxis, less than half of the permitted cap of 1,079. In contrast, there are 361 licensed private hire vehicles, for which no numerical limit exists. This disparity has fueled discussions about the existing regulatory framework’s impact on service availability, particularly during peak hours, when lengthy queues at taxi ranks are a common sight.
A central focus of the consultation is the mandatory street knowledge examination, currently required for all taxi and private hire driver applicants. Campaigners have consistently criticised the test for making it unduly difficult for individuals to enter the trade. It has also been cited as a factor in the struggles of ride-hailing applications, such as Uber, to recruit drivers in the city, given their reliance on GPS navigation rather than memorised routes.
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The council is specifically soliciting views on whether the knowledge test should be retained, amended, or entirely removed for private hire drivers, who primarily undertake pre-booked fares. This consideration aims to align Aberdeen more closely with practices in other UK cities where app-based services have expanded more rapidly.
Beyond the knowledge test, the consultation encompasses several other operational aspects. Residents are invited to comment on whether all taxi and private hire drivers should be mandated to accept card payments. The existing driver dress code, which prohibits attire such as jeans, t-shirts, and trainers, is also under review. Additionally, the council is seeking feedback on relaxing rules governing taxi pickups at Aberdeen International Airport, potentially by merging the current city and airport licensing zones to allow greater flexibility for drivers.
The public consultation period is set to conclude in March 2026, with councillors expected to review the gathered responses and make a final decision in May. The outcomes could significantly reshape Aberdeen’s taxi and private hire sector, influencing driver recruitment, passenger experience, and the broader local transport infrastructure.
