TAXI and private hire car drivers will be required to complete their Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) next year before they can renew their licence.

From January 1, 2022 drivers will be able to achieve their certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver at SCQF level 5. The introduction of the course was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2019, the licensing and regulatory committee approved the implementation of the certificate as a requirement for both the grant and renewal of a taxi driver’s licence and private hire car driver’s licence.

In September they agreed to delay the implementation of the qualification as a requirement for the renewal as a taxi and private hire car driver’s licence.

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In order to establish the views of relevant stakeholders, a meeting took place with all the current course providers in March this year.

There are currently six training providers in Glasgow approved to deliver the course who have all invested financially to be able to deliver this course,

The issue was discussed at a public council meeting.

Chairman councillor Alex Wilson said: “I think it is good if we can get these operations up and running as soon as we can, we have invested a lot of money in setting this up.

“It will also follow through with our policy with the SCQF qualification and it would be good for our drivers to undertake this. I know there are challenges for our drivers given there is not the same night time economy.

“I propose that we have a lead in time and start on January 1, 2022 just to give us a chance to get the night time economy back in business as well as any other contract work out there.

“I have got nothing but sympathy for the trade in general.”

Concerns were raised that a third wave of coronavirus could delay this even further.

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Councillor Elspeth Kerr said: “In view of the fact that we have a third wave of coronavirus sweeping Europe and although we appear to be going in the right direction, I don’t think that will miss us.

“Can we have that as a provisional date so we can potentially come back to it to double check that it will go ahead, depending on what the situation is then.

“We are looking for the economy to pick up enough to make enough money to pay this course.”

The start date has been set for January first but if anything happens which could delay this then the committee will review its decision.