Who regulates Uber in Fife?

Yes, to operate locally in Fife. A normal DVLA driving licence is not enough. The driver must hold the appropriate Fife Council taxi/private-hire car driver's licence, and the vehicle must also be appropriately licensed.

A driver and vehicle licensed by another Scottish council cannot simply come into Fife and operate as a local Uber. Cross-boundary journeys are permitted in defined circumstances, including where the driver is already engaged on a hire that began in, or will end in, their own licensed area.

Fife's own conditions also require a Fife-licensed driver to display the identification issued by Fife Council while in charge of the licensed vehicle.

Not simply because they are an Uber driver. An Edinburgh licence does not become a Fife licence.

Scottish law permits certain legitimate cross-boundary journeys. For example, an Edinburgh-licensed driver may be in Fife on a hire which began in Edinburgh or will end there. There are also other specific statutory exceptions concerning when and where the request for hire was received.

What they cannot do is treat Fife as though it were their own licensed operating area simply because Uber offers them a booking there.

Yes, if it is operating locally in Fife. The driver's badge and the vehicle licence are separate. A Fife-licensed private-hire car must have its own Private Hire Car Licence issued by Fife Council and display the Council-issued licence plate while in use.

No. An Uber operating as a private-hire car must be pre-booked. Fife Council's guidance states that private-hire cars can only accept pre-booked hires. Unlike a taxi, they cannot be hailed in the street or hired from a taxi rank.

Not for the purpose of getting a hire there and then. Fife Council's private-hire conditions prohibit canvassing or soliciting for hire in a street or public place. This expressly includes waiting there for the purpose of being hired there and then.

No, unless the vehicle is itself a licensed taxi entitled to use that stance. Section 21 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 makes it an offence, without reasonable excuse, for a vehicle other than a taxi to wait on an appointed taxi stance.

A Fife-licensed driver must display their Fife Council identification while in charge of the licensed vehicle. It includes the driver's name, photograph and licence expiry date. The driver must also show it on demand to a passenger, police officer or authorised Council officer.

Look for the Council-issued licence plate on the vehicle. A Fife-licensed private-hire car must display its plate whenever it is being used as a private-hire car, and the plate must remain clearly visible and legible.

Important: if the car is licensed by another council, the plate will be from that licensing authority. That does not automatically mean it is operating illegally in Fife because legitimate cross-boundary journeys are permitted in specific circumstances under section 21.

Fife-licensed ones are. They must undergo an annual Council inspection. Fife Council can also require further inspections and reserves the right to carry out random inspections and spot checks during the year.

No, not if it is to be licensed by Fife Council. The Council maintains an approved vehicle list and assesses factors including seating, access, luggage space and vehicle specifications. New vehicles being submitted for a Fife taxi or private-hire licence generally have a maximum age of five years from first registration.

Generally, no. Most Uber vehicles are expected to operate as private-hire cars without a taximeter, meaning Uber can set its own prices.

Fife Council sets the fare scale for taxis and private-hire cars fitted with a taximeter. Where a private-hire car does not use a meter, its fare is not set by the Council. The passenger must instead be told the price, or how it will be calculated, before the hire is accepted.

This means Uber can price journeys below or above Fife's regulated taxi fare, including changing prices according to demand.

For a Fife-licensed driver, breaching the licence conditions can constitute an offence. Fife's conditions provide for a fine of up to £1,000, and a court can revoke the licence or disqualify the driver from holding one for up to five years. Fife Council can also suspend a licence in specified circumstances.

Concerns about taxis or private-hire cars can be reported to Fife Council's Taxi Licensing Enforcement Officer at EnforcementOfficer@fife.gov.uk. You can also report concerns directly to us.

Yes. This is separate from both the driver's badge and the vehicle licence. Fife Council requires a Booking Office Licence for premises used by a business taking bookings from the public for licensed taxis or private-hire cars, subject to the statutory exemption for offices taking bookings for no more than three vehicles.