Licensing authority approves new private hire driver application despite nine penalty points
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
A new private hire driver has been granted a licence by Manchester City Council despite holding nine penalty points on his DVLA record.
The case was considered by the council’s Licensing and Appeals Sub-Committee on 16 February 2026. Members reviewed a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing concerning the unnamed applicant, who had a conviction for a CU80 offence relating to the use of a mobile phone while driving, resulting in six penalty points, and a further SP50 motorway speeding conviction.
The panel was told that the applicant had not proactively disclosed the convictions to the council and that they were identified during checks of his DVLA licence summary. The offences fell within the authority’s conviction and suitability guidelines and required formal consideration as part of the application process.
In his representations, the driver applicant explained that the speeding offence occurred after the date of his application but accepted he should have notified the authority once he became aware of it. In relation to the mobile phone offence, he said the incident took place in stationary traffic and that he had incorrectly assumed the matter would not proceed beyond a verbal warning.
Manchester City Council grants licence with warning in decision
In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee referred to the council’s Statement of Policy and the statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards. Members accepted that there had been no intention to deceive, noting that any convictions would have come to light through routine DVLA checks.
The panel concluded that the driver remained a fit and proper person to hold a licence and granted the application. However, a formal warning was issued regarding future conduct, with members reminding the applicant that he now holds nine penalty points and must exercise particular care when driving.
The decision shows the level of scrutiny applied to new applicants with existing endorsements and the weight placed on honesty and engagement during the licensing process.
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