An operator’s licence is usually granted for a maximum of 5 years – price varies between Authorities eg Stoke is £470 for 5 years but Liverpool is £750.

You will have to provide the following documents:

The local authority’s application form

If you are an individual evidence of the “right to work in the UK”

Right to Work – Check List

Two written references

Tax declaration confirming you have read the HMRC guidance regarding your obligations to register for tax payable earning from your licensed trade

The local Authority may wish to interview you.

Each application is granted on merit on two grounds

• Public interest and safety
• Application passes the fit and proper person test

You need to show eligibility:-

Be able to work legal in the UK

Have held a full GB/NI/EU driving licence for at least 12 months

You must then satisfy the authority that you are a fit and proper person so your background and character will be checked. The authority may carry out a disbarring and disclosure check (DBS) https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record

You may also need to undertake a

• Medical examination
• Knowledge test
• Driving test
• Medical examination

No you must register your vehicle as well as applying for an operators licence or PHL. Local Authorities have delegated powers to specify conditions that vehicles can meet; for example Stoke City Council1 have a maximum age for vehicles of 7 years for first registration whilst others have set this at 10 years.

The vehicle itself must also satisfy other criteria in relation to its condition and functionality. Again differs between local authorities

Your local authority will have a policy in relation to when they will and won’t grant taxi licence.

Convictions which are not spent are more likely to prevent your application being successful. Spent convictions will depend on the nature and seriousness of the conviction. So for example Cheshireeast have a policy that for minor offences of up to more than 6 points in total the authority will need to consider whether fit and proper so a hearing would take place.

However, for a major traffic offence within a 2 year period of the application then they should consider refusal until a three year period has elapsed. Most authorities will be similar in their application of the policy in relation to previous convictions.

Initially you will have a hearing at the Local council offence. They will produce an evidential bundle which will demonstrate the basis upon which they have made the refusal/revocation.

They will be using this to demonstrate that you have not satisfied them that you are a fit and proper person. The criteria for that can be found on the local authority website.

It is for you to then show that you are a fit and proper person.

The committee hearing the application are made up from local Councillors.

You are entitled to be represented at this hearing and we would advise that you get legal representation at this very early stage. 

Yes definitely, you can appeal to the magistrates court and thereafter have a right to a further appeal to the Crown Court. Whilst the magistrates are encouraged to uphold the decisions of councils if the decision is grossly unfair and the council have failed to apply the facts appropriately then you will have a good chance of success. The Crown Court are even more likely to allow the appeal if it is evident that the council have not considered and applied the evidence appropriately.

You have 21 days to appeal so you will have to act quickly and we would advise that you seek legal advice straight away. Note that there is court fee to pay of £200 to lodge your appeal with them.

No it is standard practice for the Council to suspend and any decision to revoke your license until the appeal is concluded. 

The Council do not always have to revoke your taxi license for breaches of the conditions or the imposition of convictions whilst holding the license. They have a number of options:-

• Issue an advisory letter
• Issue Informal warning
• Issue Formal warning
• Issue a Formal Caution
• Refer to the Licensing sub committee for consideration of revocation
• Refer to the legal dept for consideration of prosecution

We can influence their decision on which option to consider or whether to take any action at all at this stage by making representations to the Council.

We can help you in a number of ways at various stages of the application/revocation process:

• We can help you in completing the application and ensuring that you satisfy all the criteria before you submit it to the Council
• We can write representations in relation to any potential disciplinary action such as warnings/cautions/revocation
• We can represent you at both the Licensing sub committee hearing and any appeal to either the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court.
• We can help with any offences motoring or otherwise which may put your taxi in jeopardy if convicted
• We can also help if you are likely to face a totting up disqualification

We offer fixed fees for each of our services.

Our Taxi Fees / Charges