The Public Protection Sub Committee of Cardiff Council met on 1 April 2026 to consider several applications and complaints relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licences. The committee made decisions on six applications, including suspending two licences, revoking one, and refusing three.

Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver's Licence Applications

The Sub Committee considered a number of applications and complaints concerning Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licences.

Application 1: Licence Suspension

A driver's licence was suspended for 28 days following a complaint that he failed to use his meter for a journey within the Cardiff boundary and overcharged a passenger. The driver claimed the meter was not working and that the passenger had agreed to a £20 fare, though he estimated the meter would have read £25 or £26. A witness stated the driver initially quoted £30 and insisted on £20 cash, with the meter not running. She further alleged the driver demanded an additional £5 via bank transfer, and when she could not comply, he offered to drive her to a cash machine. A Licensing Enforcement Officer for Cardiff Council calculated the journey's value at approximately £19.65, deeming the £30 charge significantly higher.

Application 2: Deferred

This application was deferred to the next meeting.

Application 3: Licence Suspension

A driver's licence was suspended for 14 days after he was found to be carrying passengers within the Cardiff boundary without using his meter. The driver stated that the passengers had agreed to a £17 cash fare for a journey to Llanishen, and he did not turn on the meter as it was a quiet night. A Licensing Enforcement Officer confirmed that the meter was either not on or not working when the vehicle was stopped during a licensing operation. Passengers confirmed they were told it would be a cash fare of £17.

Application 4: Deferred

This application was deferred to the next meeting.

Application 5: Licence Revocation

A driver's licence was revoked after a complaint alleged he failed to use his meter and charged a fare in excess of the legal tariff. The driver did not recall the specific journey but acknowledged that overcharging was a serious issue and took responsibility, suggesting personal and financial pressures may have affected his judgment. He also admitted to using his daughter's card reader because his was damaged, which he understood was not permitted. The complainant, a visitor to Cardiff, stated the driver charged £34.50 for a journey to the Premier Inn on Pentwyn Road, a fare significantly higher than other taxis he used during his visit. A Licensing Enforcement Officer calculated the fare's approximate value at £19.30.

Application 6: Deferred

This application was deferred to the next meeting.

Application 7: Licence Refusal

An application for a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver's Licence was refused due to the applicant having a criminal conviction and a motoring conviction contrary to council guidance. The applicant explained that his convictions stemmed from mistakes made in the past, including being disqualified for six months in 2022 for an alleged offence of attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit, though he maintained he was not driving at the time.

Application 8: Licence Refusal

An application for a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver's Licence was refused due to the applicant having motoring convictions. The applicant explained that his convictions in 2024 were for threatening or disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, and criminal damage to a police vehicle. He stated these offences were based on a misunderstanding as he was new to the country at the time. He also admitted to not declaring these convictions on his application, having misunderstood the question to refer only to his driving licence.

Application 9: Licence Refusal

An application for a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver's Licence was refused due to the applicant having motoring convictions and a previous criminal conviction. The applicant's first conviction was for possession of cannabis in 2018, for which he pleaded guilty. He had subsequently been to court four times for failing to complete a community order, which he attributed partly to administrative errors. The other offence involved driving a family member's car without a licence and refusing to provide a specimen, which he stated he did not realise was a crime at the time.

Application 10: Licence Approval

An application for a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver's Licence was approved. The applicant had been disqualified from driving for six months in 2023 due to accumulating points on her licence, which she attributed to a difficult family time. She stated she had overcome this period and had since gained experience driving coaches.