Decision Maker: Regulatory Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 1.         That the Committee recommends to the Executive: (a)        a new applicant(s) be permitted to apply for a hackney carriage/private hire driver licence as long as they have held a current DVLA licence for at least 12 months and have no more than 11 DVLA points.  The applicant must successfully complete, amongst other things, an approved practical driving course and the Council’s driver assessment testing before they can be granted a licence;  (b)       should an existing licence holder receive a fixed penalty notice during the life of their licence and have accrued between 9-11 DVLA points then they must, once again, complete an approved Council practical driving course at their own expense.  Should an existing licence holder go to 12 or more DVLA points then their HC/PH driver licence will be revoked, and they cannot reapply until they have fewer than 12 DVLA points; and   (c)        should an existing licence holder accrue further DVLA points (but remain 11 or fewer), after completing two approved practical driving courses, then their hackney carriage / private hire driver licence will be reviewed with a view to:  •          completing the Council’s enhanced driver assessment test at their own expense; •          taking an alternative bespoke training/rehabilitation course(s) identified by council officers at their own expense; and / or •          being suspended for up to 21 days. 2.         That, subject to recommendation 1.1 being approved, the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Procedures and Conditions document (Part 2) be updated to reflect the proposal.