Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a private hire driver

Licence from Applicant - 157996 who had relevant convictions and therefore did not meet current Transport Policy.

Applicant - 157996 attended the meeting and was given the opportunity to make representation.

Committee papers and reports had been provided to all relevant parties prior to the meeting. 

The report detailed the following:

- A copy of Applicant- 157996’s application, including a DVLA check code and current full licence with no endorsements.

- A copy of a revocation letter revoking Applicant – 157996’s taxi licence which he had held with Redcar and Cleveland Council.

- A copy of a summary interview transcript with Applicant – 157996 and Licensing Officers.

The Committee understood that the matter before them was to determine a private hire drivers’ licence application from Applicant - 157996 who had a relevant Major Traffic Offence namely DG10 ‘ Driving or attempting to drive with drug levels above the specified limit.

The Committee considered all the information before them and listened to what Applicant – 157996 and the officer said to them. The Committee noted that Applicant – 157996 came across well and found Applicant – 157996 to be honest and candid in his responses to their questioning. The Committee noted that Applicant – 157996 had sought help for his issues and appeared to have turned his life around.

Despite being outside of the Council’s Policy due to Applicant – 157996’s previous conviction for driving or attempting to drive with the drug drive level above the specified limit in 2018; the Committee understood that this was at a difficult time in Applicant – 157996’s life. The Committee had therefore determined that Applicant – 157996’s application should be granted, as they believed that he was a fit and proper person, subject to Applicant – 157996 undertaking a drugs test with a negative result and completing all necessary stages of his application requirements. A drugs test was conducted following the Committee hearing and was negative.

The Council had a duty to ensure so far as possible that those licensed to drive hackney carriage and private hire vehicles were suitable persons to do so, that they were safe drivers with good driving records and adequate experience, sober, Courteous, mentally and physically fit, honest and not persons who would take advantage of their employment to abuse or assault passengers.

RESOLVED that Applicant – 157996’s application for a private hire driver licence be granted for the reasons as stated above, subject to Applicant – 157996 undertaking a drugs test with a negative result and completing all necessary stages of the application requirements.