r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	Torran_Toi
Comment	Not incredibly difficult to get into, but as of this year it's not as easy as it used to be. First step is now getting a qualification. The council won't accept new applications without an SQA certificate, so you'll need to do a 'Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver' SVQ at SCQF level 5. 9 modules with 9 assessments and costs around £400 (or half price with an ITA). Once you have this new certificate you apply for a badge (Private hire drivers licence). This costs around £160 and needs renewed every 3 years. Process is easy, you just fill out a form take it to John Street with ID and passport photos for the badge. However, it takes ages. Looking at around 4 to 6 months from the time you lodge the application till you hear back from them. Once you have the badge you can approach the PH companies. If you manage to sort out your own car then they will start you pretty much immediately after about 20 minutes of training on how to use their 'radio'. If you don't have a car then you can rent one from the company (except Uber, they don't rent cars). The hard part after that is learning your way around. Most guys with half a brain in their head will learn all the main routes (A and B roads) in the city within 6 months and be pretty proficient in getting around after about a year. Don't expect support on this. The companies won't train you. It's up to you to either learn the roads or to rely on satnav (which you can do (and will do at the beginning), but learning the routes is always best. Depending who you go work for might lead to having to get a PVG . For example, Network have big contracts with the railways, the NHS and GCC which need it. Any other questions you have just ask.
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/f6k77c/adult_apprenticeships_freelance/fi6m2wi/
Created	Thu 20th Feb 2020 12:11pm
Status	normal ()

Not incredibly difficult to get into, but as of this year it's not as easy as it used to be.

First step is now getting a qualification. The council won't accept new applications without an SQA certificate, so you'll need to do a 'Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver' SVQ at SCQF level 5. 9 modules with 9 assessments and costs around £400 (or half price with an ITA).

Once you have this new certificate you apply for a badge (Private hire drivers licence). This costs around £160 and needs renewed every 3 years. Process is easy, you just fill out a form take it to John Street with ID and passport photos for the badge. However, it takes ages. Looking at around 4 to 6 months from the time you lodge the application till you hear back from them.

Once you have the badge you can approach the PH companies. If you manage to sort out your own car then they will start you pretty much immediately after about 20 minutes of training on how to use their 'radio'. If you don't have a car then you can rent one from the company (except Uber, they don't rent cars).

The hard part after that is learning your way around. Most guys with half a brain in their head will learn all the main routes (A and B roads) in the city within 6 months and be pretty proficient in getting around after about a year. Don't expect support on this. The companies won't train you. It's up to you to either learn the roads or to rely on satnav (which you can do (and will do at the beginning), but learning the routes is always best.

Depending who you go work for might lead to having to get a PVG . For example, Network have big contracts with the railways, the NHS and GCC which need it.

Any other questions you have just ask.