Become a Professional Taxi or Private Hire Driver
SQA SCQF Level 5 Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver
Develop the essential knowledge and skills required to support your professional development as a taxi or private hire driver.
- SCQF Level 5
- 9 Mandatory Units
- Typically 18+
- Mode of Training: Face to Face
Qualification
SCQF Level 5 Certificate
SCQF Level
Level 5
Mandatory Units
9 Units
Minimum Age
Typically 18+
Driving Licence
Typically 1 Year
Build the Knowledge and Skills for Professional Taxi Driving
The SQA SCQF Level 5 Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver is designed to support the professional development of taxi and private hire drivers.
The qualification develops knowledge and skills relevant to the day-to-day responsibilities of professional drivers, including passenger safety, customer service, vehicle safety, mobility assistance, route planning and licensing requirements.
Designed for people who are already working as taxi or private hire drivers, or those interested in pursuing a career in the passenger transport sector.
Develop Essential Professional Driver Skills
Passenger Safety
Learn key principles for safely transporting passengers.
Professional Customer Service
Develop knowledge of professional customer service and passenger interaction.
Vehicle Safety
Understand important areas of licensed vehicle safety and maintenance.
Mobility Assistance
Develop knowledge and skills for supporting passengers who require mobility or wheelchair assistance.
Routes & Fares
Understand route planning and fares.
Licensing Regulations
Develop an understanding of relevant taxi and private hire licensing regulations.
Who Is This Qualification For?
Existing Taxi & Private Hire Drivers
For drivers who want to develop their professional knowledge and skills.
Aspiring Professional Drivers
For individuals interested in becoming a taxi or private hire driver.
Also suitable for those considering a future career in the passenger transport sector. This qualification supports professional development and does not itself grant a local authority taxi or private hire licence.
What You Need to Get Started
Minimum Age
Typically 18+
Driving Licence
Typically candidates will have held a driving licence for at least one year.
Prior Qualifications
No prior qualifications or knowledge are required to undertake the qualification, subject to centre access requirements.
Important notice
Local authority licensing conditions may apply. Requirements to obtain a taxi or private hire driver's licence can vary between local authorities.
What You'll Learn
The qualification consists of 9 mandatory units covering the core knowledge and skills needed for professional taxi and private hire driving.
Taxi and Private Hire: Workplace Health and Safety
Understand health and safety within the taxi/private hire work environment and recognise relevant hazards and risks.
Taxi and Private Hire: Safely Transport Passengers
Develop knowledge of how to transport passengers safely.
Taxi and Private Hire: Professional Customer Service
Understand the principles and benefits of professional customer service.
Taxi and Private Hire: Maintain the Safety of the Licensed Vehicle
Develop knowledge relating to maintaining licensed vehicle safety and relevant compliance considerations.
Taxi and Private Hire: Mobility and Wheelchair Assistance
Develop knowledge and practical skills relating to supporting passengers requiring mobility or wheelchair assistance.
Taxi and Private Hire: Plan Routes and Fares
Understand how routes and fares can be planned for professional taxi and private hire journeys.
Taxi and Private Hire: Transport Luggage and Parcels
Understand how to safely and efficiently transport luggage and parcels within the relevant legal framework.
Taxi and Private Hire: Safely Transport School Age Children
Understand key considerations involved in safely transporting school-age children.
Taxi and Private Hire: The Licensing Regulations (Scotland)
Develop an understanding of relevant licensing regulations relating to taxi and private hire.
Your Professional Driver Training Journey
All 9 units are mandatory and build progressively.
- 01
Workplace Health & Safety
- 02
Safely Transport Passengers
- 03
Professional Customer Service
- 04
Licensed Vehicle Safety
- 05
Mobility & Wheelchair Assistance
- 06
Routes & Fares
- 07
Luggage & Parcels
- 08
School-Age Children
- 09
Licensing Regulations
Learn, Develop and Demonstrate Your Knowledge
Each unit is assessed online using SQA's e-assessment platform, SOLAR.
The Mobility and Wheelchair Assistance unit also includes a practical assessment involving the safe transfer of a passenger using a wheelchair.
Contact us for current course availability and enrolment information.
Build Towards Your Professional Driving Career
This qualification can support professional development for taxi and private hire drivers and may provide progression opportunities within the passenger transport sector.
Professional Taxi Driver
Private Hire Driver
Passenger Transport Sector
Career outcomes are not guaranteed. Local authority licensing and eligibility requirements apply to working as a taxi or private hire driver.
Ready to Start Your Professional Driver Journey?
Contact our team for course information, availability and enrolment guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an SQA qualification at SCQF Level 5 that provides learners with the knowledge and skills to support their professional development as a taxi or private hire driver, covering areas such as passenger safety, customer service, vehicle safety and licensing regulations.
It is suitable for individuals who are already working as taxi or private hire drivers and want to develop their professional knowledge, as well as those interested in becoming a taxi or private hire driver or pursuing a career in the passenger transport sector.
Candidates are typically 18+. Local licensing conditions may apply depending on the relevant local authority.
Yes, candidates would typically be expected to hold a driving licence in order to progress towards a taxi or private hire driver role.
Typically, candidates will have held a driving licence for at least one year, though this can be subject to centre access requirements.
The qualification consists of 9 mandatory units covering the core areas of knowledge and skills required for the role.
Topics include workplace health and safety, safely transporting passengers, professional customer service, licensed vehicle safety, mobility and wheelchair assistance, route planning and fares, transporting luggage and parcels, safely transporting school-age children, and licensing regulations.
Yes, it is designed to support the continued professional development of drivers already working in the taxi and private hire sector, as well as those new to the industry.
No. This qualification supports your professional knowledge and development, but it does not itself grant a taxi or private hire driver's licence. Local authority licensing requirements apply and can vary between different areas, so you should check the specific requirements of the relevant local authority before applying for a licence.
Start Your Journey Towards Professional Taxi or Private Hire Driving
Develop essential professional knowledge and skills with the SQA SCQF Level 5 Certificate.