Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Policy

Sections 51 and 59 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 require that 'A district council shall not grant a drivers' licence to drive a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage vehicle unless they are satisfied that an applicant is a fit and proper person'.

The aim of the licensing regime is to ensure that, so far as possible, those licensed to drive either a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle are suitable persons to do so. Suitable means that they are safe drivers with good driving records and adequate experience, sober, mentally and physically fit. They also should be honest individuals who would not take advantage of their position to abuse, assault or defraud customers. The general term used in taxi licensing to describe this person is 'fit and proper'.

The test when considering whether an applicant/licence holder is 'fit and proper' is to pose oneself the following question, 'Without any prejudice, and based on the information before you, would you allow a person for whom you care, regardless of their condition, to travel alone in a vehicle driven by this person at any time of the day or night?'.

In deciding whether the applicant is a fit and proper person the Borough Council have regard to a number of factors as outlined below. Each case will be considered individually on its merits. The Borough Council does not have a limit on the number of Driver Licences issued.