The Regulatory Committee of Dover District Council is scheduled to meet on 14 October 2025 to discuss several applications for hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences that do not meet the council's current policy guidelines. Councillors will be asked to consider the reports of the Licensing Manager and the Licensing Enforcement Officer in relation to these applications. The agenda also includes the confirmation of the minutes from the previous meeting and any declarations of interest.

Taxi Licensing Applications

The committee is scheduled to review three applications for taxi licences that do not comply with the Dover District Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2022 – 2027. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 gives the council the statutory duty to regulate Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles. The council's policy states that it will not grant a licence to hackney carriage or private hire vehicles that are more than five years old when the initial application is made. However, the Licensing Manager has the authority to extend this limit by a maximum of two years for vehicles that are exceptionally well-maintained. Applications that fall outside of these guidelines are referred to the Regulatory Committee for consideration.

Khalid Aziz - Hackney Carriage Licence Transfer

The committee is scheduled to consider an application from Mr Khalid Aziz to transfer a Hackney Carriage licence to his Renault Traffic HN17 0KR. According to the report prepared by the Licensing Manager, the vehicle was first registered in June 2017, making it older than the vehicle age policy allows.

The vehicle was previously licensed by Dover District Council as a private hire vehicle, but the licence lapsed on 31 July 2025. The licensing team were informed that the private hire licence would not be renewed due to engine and gearbox replacement. Mr Aziz is now applying to transfer the Hackney Carriage licence HV21, which expires on 31 March 2026, to the vehicle.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer's report notes that the vehicle had covered 242,366 miles at the time of inspection. The seats and interior were found to be in good condition, with no rips or tears. The exterior paintwork was visually good, with only minor imperfections. A recent MOT was conducted on 15 July 2025, with one advisory regarding a cracked number plate.

Mr Aziz has provided a statement explaining why he believes the vehicle should be licensed, stating that it has been exceptionally well cared for and remains in outstanding condition. He also explains that the car was broken and could not be presented for licensing at the time.

The committee is scheduled to consider whether to approve the application, given that the vehicle is over the age limit defined in the policy.

Milan Ziga - Private Hire Vehicle Licence

The committee is scheduled to review an application from Mr Milan Ziga for a private hire vehicle licence for his Ford Mondeo AE67 VBN. According to the report from the Licensing Enforcement Officer, the vehicle was first registered on 1 September 2017, which means it is outside the current vehicle age policy.

The vehicle was previously licensed as a private hire vehicle with Dover District Council until 31 May 2025, when the licence lapsed. Mr Ziga has submitted a grant application, but it cannot be processed by officers due to the vehicle's age.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer's report notes that the vehicle had covered 196,317 miles at the time of inspection. The seats and interior were found to be in good clean condition, with no signs of damage or excessive wear. The exterior was also in good condition, with only minor signs of paint damage. An MOT dated 15 August 2025 has been submitted, with no advisories listed.

Mr Ziga has provided a letter listing the works carried out on his vehicle, stating that he has spent around £1000 having the timing belt replaced, plus brakes and other mechanical work to make the car as safe and reliable as possible.

The committee is scheduled to consider whether to approve the application, given that the vehicle is over the age limit defined in the policy.

Sherwan Saber - Private Hire Vehicle Licence Renewal

The committee is scheduled to consider an application from Mr Sherwan Saber to renew a private hire vehicle licence for his Volkswagen Sharan GF15 UDW. According to the report from the Licensing Enforcement Officer, the vehicle was first registered on 30 March 2015, making it older than the vehicle age policy allows for renewals.

The vehicle is currently licensed with Dover District Council as a private hire vehicle until 31 October 2025. The council's policy states that it will not grant a renewal of a private hire vehicle licence if the vehicle is more than eight years old.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer's report notes that the vehicle had covered 257,910 miles at the time of inspection. The vehicle exterior was in good overall condition with no paint imperfections or signs of damage. The 6 passenger seats available in this MPV style car were in good clean condition. Mr Saber said that this car is a good size comfortable 6-seater, and that it has been mechanically reliable and popular with customers and drivers.

Mr Saber has provided a statement explaining why he believes the vehicle should be licensed, stating that his Volkswagen Sharan is very well maintained with full service history.

The committee is scheduled to consider whether to approve the application, given that the vehicle is over the age limit defined in the policy.

Other Items

The committee will also be asked to:

• Approve the minutes of the meeting that took place on 9 September 2025¹.
• Note any declarations of interest made by members.