Private hire driver licence REVOKED with immediate effect after disqualification and insurance offences
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
A private hire driver has had his licence revoked with immediate effect after Manchester City Council’s Licensing and Appeals Sub-Committee found he posed a serious risk to public safety.
The case was heard on 16 February 2026, where the panel considered a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing concerning the driver, who did not attend the hearing despite being given notice.
The Sub-Committee was told that the driver’s DBS certificate had expired in August 2025 and had not been promptly renewed. During related enquiries, it emerged that AM had been disqualified from driving after accumulating 12 penalty points under a TT99 ‘totting up’ conviction in January 2025. The offences included speeding and failing to provide driver details. None of these convictions, nor the disqualification, were disclosed to the Licensing Unit at the time.
Further evidence presented to the panel showed that in April 2025 the same driver was stopped by police while driving a private hire vehicle registered to him. He was arrested for driving while disqualified and without insurance. The report stated he initially provided false details to officers before later admitting his identity. In July 2025 he received further convictions, resulting in an extended disqualification running until July 2026.
Manchester City Council panel cites public safety risk in decision
The panel noted that the driver had continued driving despite being disqualified and uninsured, and had failed to notify the council of his convictions as required under licence conditions. Members also considered the statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and the established ‘fit and proper person’ test, including whether they would allow someone they care for to travel alone with the driver.
In its decision, the Sub-Committee concluded that the minicab driver had demonstrated a disregard for the law and public safety, aggravated by dishonesty and the failure to report his disqualification. Members determined he was no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
The licence was revoked with immediate effect under Section 62(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, on the grounds that urgent action was required in the interests of public safety.
