ROUND THE COUNCILS ABERDEEN:
SPLIT OVER KNOWLEDGE TEST
A debate has broken out in Aberdeen over whether taxi drivers should continue to take a traditional street knowledge test, following a major public consultation that left opinions deeply divided. Out of roughly 1,800 responses gathered by Aberdeen City Council, 45.5% voted to keep the test, while 43.1% argued it should be scrapped entirely. Alternatives, such as creating a modified test or removing it solely for private hire drivers, received minimal support, pulling in just 4% and 7.4% of the vote respectively. The division highlights a clash between the traditional taxi industry and modern ride-hailing giant Uber. Uber has actively pushed for the test to be axed, arguing that removing it would allow more drivers into the trade and better meet customer demand. However, local taxi representatives insist the current system is “working” and needs no adjustment. According to the council’s report, those supporting the status quo emphasised the need for “maintaining standards and reducing the reliance on sat-nav technology.” Conversely, those against the test argued that modern technology has made the assessment outdated and viewed it as a “barrier to entering the trade.” While some respondents noted that other cities do not require such tests, council officials clarified that the knowledge test remains standard practice across other major Scottish cities. The consultation also highlighted public confusion regarding the city’s taxi licence limit, which is capped at 1,079, though only 484 drivers are currently licensed. The report noted a “degree of misunderstanding,” explaining that while many people wanted the limit changed to fix the struggle of finding a taxi at peak times, altering the cap would have little impact since current driver numbers are already well below the limit. While taxi availability has previously been labelled a “real issue,” Chris Douglas, director of Aberdeen Taxis, noted a recent rise in driver numbers and reiterated that the system is functioning well. However, Bob Keiller from the business group Our Union Street suggested the data might heavily reflect industry self-interest rather than public sentiment. Pointing out that 600 responses flooded in on the very first day, Keiller noted that a previous survey showed about half of the participants were connected to the industry.
PHTM JUNE 2026
EAST LOTHIAN: PLANS FOR NEW TAXI RANKS
East Lothian Council has unanimously agreed to launch a public consultation on plans to install more taxi ranks in towns and housing areas across the county.
The decision by the council’s Licensing Sub- Committee comes in response to a direct request from a local taxi operator calling for an increase in the number of official stances. The initiative has drawn strong support from local officials who view the service as an essential part of the community. At a committee meeting in Haddington, Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies championed the vital role that drivers play, stating: “I think we all forget that taxis are part of the public transport infrastructure.” She strongly criticised regular drivers who treat the ranks as standard parking spots, adding, “It’s not just another parking space. For people who have mobility issues taxis are a lifeline.” However, the committee highlighted a major hurdle that neither the council nor the police can easily fix: the illegal use of taxi ranks by ordinary motorists. Licensing officers revealed that the council's parking attendants currently lack the legal powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to people who park in taxi bays. A police officer at the meeting confirmed that the force supports the creation of new ranks but warned that policing them comes down to “hours and manpower.” He noted that certain locations, such as an existing rank outside a chemist in Tranent, are particularly “contentious” because motorists are often trying to access the pharmacy. “It’s not great for police to be moving people on that don’t keep very well or have mobility issues,” he explained. In addition to expanding the ranks, Provost John McMillan and committee chair Colin McGinn urged local drivers to form an official taxi operators association to give the trade a stronger, unified voice in the county. Welcoming the upcoming community consultation, Provost McMillan emphasised that everyday motorists need to change their habits. “For many people who need it, a taxi is the only way they can get around, and drivers should respect these stances,” he said. “I think we should approve this for the next step of consultation.”
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