Medical assessment for licensing of taxi drivers by Scottish local authorities

In the UK, licensing of taxi drivers is dealt with by local government authorities. In Scotland, before the recent reorganization of local government, taxi licensing was under the jurisdiction of District Councils, so a telephone survey was conducted of all 52 mainland Scottish District Councils to ascertain the procedures which were being employed in assessing medical fitness to drive a taxi, for which there is no national standard. Medical enquiries relevant to fitness to drive were being made by 41 (79%) of local authorities, but in 38 (73%) this was limited to a single question about health. No enquiry regarding health status was being made by 11 (21%) District Councils (all serving < 100,000 population size). Only three Scottish District Councils conducted a routine medical examination of all applicants. Thirteen of the 15 large (> 100,000 population size), and 20 of the 21 medium-sized (50,000-100,000) Scottish District Councils carried out medical examinations either when a relevant medical disorder was declared by the applicant, or when the applicant was above a defined age (which varied between local authorities). The small local authorities (population < 50,000) examined only those applicants who declared medical disorders. This survey has shown considerable variation and limitations in the approach of the previously existing Scottish District Councils to the assessment of medical fitness to drive of applicants for taxi licences. It is suggested that national standards and guidelines are required for medical fitness to drive in relation to taxi licensing.