Driving a car as a Police officer is vital in Police Scotland, wether it is driving to an emergency or going out on enquiries. You will struggle to perform your role without means of transport. That being said there could be times you are stationed within a city centre where your beat is fairly small. You could get away with walking sometimes, especially in cities.
Can you join Police Scotland without a driving license?
In 2014 Police Scotland changed their stance on having to possess a full driving license. This was apparently to attract more applicants to the Police. But since then, they have tightened the criteria again.
You now must possess a full (manual) driving license at the point of your application.
So unfortunately if you don’t have a driving license you cannot currently apply. It is not likely these rules will change anytime soon, as driving is a huge part of being a Police Officer.
If you are looking to join Police Scotland as a member of staff, you won’t need a driving license depending on the kind of role you are applying for.
Conclusion: Do you need a driving license to become a Police officer in Scotland?
Yes, you must possess a full (manual) driving license at the point of your application. This has been recently changed from being more flexible, but it makes sense due to the amount of driving you need to do in the role.
3-in-1 Ultimate Guide
Our 3 guides in 1 – Practice exam papers, Fitness Guide and Recruitment Guide. Everything you need for the recruitment process.
Test Practice Papers
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Created by a leading PT in the UK. Covering the new 2023 fitness test with a complete training plan for the Fitness Test and for Police Life.
