South Cambridgeshire REFUSES private hire licence renewal after driver fails to disclose conviction and driving ban

South Cambridgeshire District Council has refused a private hire driver licence application after concluding the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence following a Licensing Review Panel hearing on 21 July.

The panel heard evidence from the council’s Licensing Enforcement Officer, the applicant and the applicant’s representative before deciding, on the balance of probabilities, to refuse the application.

In reaching its decision, councillors said the applicant was unfamiliar with key requirements contained within the council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, particularly the section covering previous convictions.

The panel also found the applicant had failed to notify the licensing authority about both a criminal conviction and a subsequent driving disqualification when they occurred, and again when submitting a renewal application.

The panel further concluded the applicant could not be considered a safe and suitable driver. Members noted a series of convictions and driving endorsements, including an incident involving a collision in which people were injured, ultimately resulting in a driving disqualification. They said this demonstrated the applicant had not taken their professional responsibilities seriously.

In making its decision, the panel considered Section 51 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Department for Transport’s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, the Licensing Officer’s report, legal advice and oral evidence provided during the hearing.