Former TfL private hire driver DENIED new dual taxi licence following convictions and complaints on record
- Perry Richardson
- 53 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A dual taxi driver licence application was refused after Teignbridge District Council councillors concluded the applicant was not a “fit and proper person” to hold a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence following previous convictions linked to illegal taxi activity.
The decision was made by a Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee after hearing evidence that the applicant had convictions for unlicensed soliciting for hire car services, operating without valid third-party insurance and accepting private hire bookings without holding the required licence.
Committee papers stated the offences were committed on two consecutive days and resulted in fines and a driving disqualification.
During the hearing, the applicant argued he had been “set up” by undercover police officers while in London and claimed he had only been helping friends by giving lifts without taking payment. He also disputed the insurance offence, stating he was not working as a taxi driver at the time despite not holding taxi insurance cover.
Taxi driver licence application rejected after illegal plying and insurance convictions
Councillors refused a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence after raising concerns over public safety, accountability and previous complaints linked to TfL
The Sub-Committee also examined concerns linked to the applicant’s previous work in London. Councillors heard that Transport for London had refused to renew the applicant’s private hire licence in 2022 following customer complaints. The applicant disputed the complaints and said TfL had not clearly explained the refusal decision.
However, councillors said they struggled to accept the applicant’s explanation that he had twice been wrongly targeted by police on consecutive days. Members also raised concerns over what they described as a lack of accountability regarding both the criminal convictions and the complaints history connected to TfL.
The committee said taxi and private hire drivers are held to a higher standard because of their responsibility towards passengers, particularly vulnerable members of the public. Applying the standard licensing test of whether they would feel comfortable allowing someone they care about to travel alone with the applicant, councillors concluded they would not.
The application was formally refused under Sections 51(1)(a) and 59(1)(a) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 on public safety grounds.
The case reflects the increasing scrutiny licensing authorities are placing on previous plying-for-hire offences, insurance breaches and driver conduct as councils continue to tighten standards around the “fit and proper person” test used throughout the taxi and private hire sector.
