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Licence bid BLOCKED after Fenland private hire driver repeatedly failed to tell council about penalty points
Fenland District Council has refused an application for a new private hire driver’s licence after finding that the applicant had accumulated nine penalty points and repeatedly failed to report endorsements to another licensing authority.
The council’s Licensing Sub-Committee considered the application at a hearing on 10 August 2026. The applicant attended and made representations to councillors before the decision was reached.
According to the published report, the applicant received the nine penalty points within what the committee described as a short period. He had also previously accumulated points that had since expired.
The committee heard that South Cambridgeshire District Council had sent the applicant a warning letter before his most recent endorsement. It also found that he had failed on several occasions to notify another authority when penalty points were imposed, breaching the requirements of that licence.
Although councillors said they sympathised with the applicant’s circumstances at the time, they were not satisfied that he would disclose relevant matters in future if licensed by Fenland District Council.
The committee considered Fenland’s Taxi Licensing Policy, applicable legislation, statutory guidance and licensing conditions. It was advised that protecting the public is the objective of taxi and private hire vehicle licensing and that each application must be assessed on its individual merits.
Councillors also noted that an assessment of fitness and propriety made by one licensing authority does not prevent another authority from reaching a different conclusion.
Fenland’s policy allows a licence to be granted where penalty points exist, but approval is not automatic. After considering the applicant’s driving record and disclosure history, the committee determined that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a council-issued private hire driver’s licence.
The applicant has the right to challenge the refusal at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court. Any appeal must be lodged within 21 days of receiving the decision notice.
