Two Bolton Council private hire driver applications refused and one licence suspended by licensing committee

A Bolton Council licensing committee refused two applications for private hire driver licences and suspended the licence of an existing private hire driver during a meeting held on 9 June 2026.

The committee first considered an application for a private hire driver’s licence. The applicant did not attend the hearing despite repeated attempts by the licensing team to make contact. Members noted that the application had been deferred from the previous committee meeting.

The committee unanimously refused the application after determining that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver’s licence. Members took into account a conviction dated 29 July 2025 for failing to provide information as to the identity of a driver, which resulted in a £660 fine and six penalty points. The committee also noted that the conviction had not been declared in accordance with the licence conditions and that the applicant had not responded to attempts to contact them.

A second application was also considered. The applicant attended the hearing and both parties agreed to a maximum presentation time of 15 minutes. The committee again unanimously refused the application after concluding that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver’s licence.

In reaching its decision, the committee considered a conviction dated 6 November 2025 for failing to provide information as to the identity of a driver. The offence resulted in a £660 fine and six penalty points and was classed under the council’s Statement of Fitness and Suitability as a major traffic offence. Members also noted that the applicant had failed to declare the conviction in line with the conditions of the licence.

The committee also considered allegations of misconduct involving an existing licensed private hire driver. The driver and a representative attended the hearing, and additional information submitted the previous day was considered by members.

Members voted to suspend the driver’s private hire licence until its expiry on 22 July 2026. No action was taken against the associated vehicle licence.

The committee said it took into account a conviction dated 15 January 2026 for breaching requirements relating to the use of a mobile phone while in control of a vehicle, which resulted in a £200 fine and six penalty points. Members also considered additional information from PC Brookfield stating that police notes recorded the driver holding a mobile phone with both hands and appearing to be texting.

The committee further noted that the driver had failed to declare the conviction within the required timescale, contrary to the licence conditions, before deciding there was reasonable cause to suspend the licence.