Au, Ag, Cu, Pt doped cobalt based perovskites (LaCo0.99X0.01O3) were prepared by co-precipitation method and investigated for their activity in glycerol steam reforming reaction in the temperature range of 400-700 degrees C and at atmospheric pressure. These catalysts were characterized by ICP- OES, BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Hydrogen chemisorption, Temperature programmed reduction (TPR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and CHN analysis. The physico-chemical properties were compared for the fresh, reduced and spent catalysts. The Pt-doped catalyst displayed the best hydrogen yield (78.4%) at 96.0% conversion of glycerol. The superior performance of the catalyst was explained in terms of the dispersion of the cobalt metal. The catalyst was also found to be stable during the time on stream analysis due to low carbon formation. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.