The City of Edinburgh Council is asking how many private hire cars are licensed to work in the city. The consultation opened on 13 October and closes on 3 November. Anyone can respond. The results will be reported to the Regulatory Committee. The page does not set a date for a decision, and it does not cap licences.
What councillors ordered
On 8 August 2025 the committee considered a petition, Cap the number of Private Hire Vehicles in Edinburgh. It was received on 10 July 2025, with 1,228 signatures from individuals and six from businesses. It asked for a consultation and an overprovision survey, and for a cap to be considered if the survey found too many private hire cars.
Petitioners speaking for black cab drivers said the taxi side was not growing because private hire numbers were rising. They spoke about longer hours, fatigue and risky driving, and asked for a temporary halt on new private hire car licences while the figures were gathered. They also asked for peak and quieter periods to be looked at. The Scottish Private Hire Association warned, in a written deputation, that a survey without booking data from every company would be open to challenge.
Councillors split 4–4. The convener’s casting vote carried a motion to hire consultants for a consultation and overprovision survey, and to report back so the committee can consider a cap if overprovision is found. The decision also asks anyone with evidence of very long hours, and a risk to the public, to send specific examples, and it agrees a workshop before the survey. It does not halt new licences.
An amendment that was not carried put the split at about 1,100 black cabs to 3,000 private hire cars, and asked for an immediate report towards a cap. Those figures were not adopted as the council’s count.
What a cap would take
A limit is not automatic. Section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 lets a council refuse a new private hire car licence only if it is satisfied there is, or would be, overprovision in the locality. It must look at the number of private hire cars and the demand for them. The power does not apply to renewals, and there is no duty to use it.
Scottish Government guidance says an assessment should keep a safe, reliable service in mind, including accessible vehicles and availability through the week and at busy times. Waiting times, drivers working very long hours, and harm to the taxi service can also be taken into account. A refusal can be appealed to the sheriff.