£4,180 OUT-OF-POCKET: Cheltenham private hire driver loses Crown Court appeal over licence revocation

A Cheltenham private hire driver has lost his appeal at Crown Court against the revocation of his licence after his vehicle was found with bald tyres during a joint enforcement operation at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham Borough Council confirmed that Mr Rahman’s appeal was dismissed at a hearing on 9 February 2026, with the court ordering him to pay £4,180.50 in costs. The ruling brings to an end a series of legal challenges following the council’s decision to revoke his private hire driver licence on public safety grounds.

The case stems from an inspection carried out during Festival week in March 2025, when a Cheltenham Borough Council licensed private hire vehicle was stopped by an Avon and Somerset Police taxi compliance officer working alongside a council licensing officer. The vehicle was found to have two tyres below the legal tread limit.

Following the roadside inspection, the council’s investigation also identified that the driver had failed to notify the authority of previous motoring offences. It was further established that false statements had been made on his initial licence application and on a subsequent renewal application.

Judge upholds council decision after vehicle found with illegal tyres during Festival enforcement operation

The matter was referred to a licensing sub-committee in April 2025, which revoked the driver’s licence on public safety grounds. That decision was first appealed to Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court, where the revocation was upheld. A further appeal was then made to the Crown Court.

In its judgment, the Crown Court held that the licensing committee’s decision was not wrong. The court found that six driving offences committed over an 11-year period represented a significant number for an individual whose occupation involves driving for a living.

The court accepted that the driver had failed to declare speeding fines to the council and stated that Mr Rahman was not an honest person, identifying what it described as a pattern of dishonesty. It concluded that the council was entitled to determine that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence and that the decision to revoke was not wrong, or anything approaching a wrong decision.

The Avon and Somerset Police taxi compliance officer, PC Quinton said: “The overwhelming majority of taxis and private hire vehicles are safe and their drivers reliable, hardworking and trustworthy.

“Those who are negligent about the safety and legality of their vehicle, as in this case, can expect to be investigated and appropriate action taken by both the police and Licensing Authority - regardless of where they are licensed.”

Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “Cheltenham Borough Council is committed to ensuring the safety and legality of taxi and private hire services in our community.

“This successful case of partnership working sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activity in our town and ensure that we protect Cheltenham residents and our visitors through partnership working with other police forces and licensing authorities.

“I would like to thank our licensing team and our partners for their diligent work in the successful conclusion of this case.”