Agenda item

(This item contains personal information regarding applicants and licence holders which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Sub-Committee was informed of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence applicants who had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

Members discussed the application as follows:

(i)                 JRP  - New Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver Applicant

JRP was in attendance and made representations to the Sub-Committee. He explained that he had lived with a medical condition related to his eyesight for many years and it had not impaired his ability to drive. He added that he had declared his condition to the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency and it was therefore listed on his vehicle licence. Following a question, the applicant advised that he had not been in contact with the DVLA more recently to advise of any changes with his eyesight. The Sub-Committee also considered a recent eye test report submitted by the applicant.

Mr Andrews presented the case on behalf of the Authority. He reported that in addition to the medical condition described by the applicant, there was also a previous conviction for an offence that had involved deception, though it was acknowledged that over 20 years had elapsed since the offence.

Members were advised that as part of the application process, drivers were required to pass a medical to group 2 standards and that this was the same type of medical required to be licensed as a bus or lorry driver. The applicant in this case had failed to meet the requirements of the medical certificate despite comments from his doctor that suggested the applicant was able to drive cars only.

The Sub-Committee considered the case and reasoned that while the applicant had driven without incident for many years, there were concerns that his impaired vision could pose a risk to fare paying passengers.

Resolved:

That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused on the grounds that the applicant had not met the relevant medical standards required of all prospective licensed drivers.

(ii)               SMA - New Private Hire Vehicle Driver Applicant

SMA was in attendance and made representations to the Sub-Committee.

Mr Andrews presented the case on behalf of the Authority. He advised that the applicant had a fairly extensive list of prior convictions for a wide range of offences that included drugs, driving and dishonesty offences. In addition, it was reported that the applicant had failed to declare many of the convictions when completing the application to be licensed.

SMA advised that he had made some poor choices in the past and showed remorse for the offences he had committed. He added that he could not recall the precise details of some of the offences and so was unable to fully list them on the application form.

The Sub-Committee considered the representations and agreed that whilst the applicant had shown remorse, the fact that he had a long history of offending behaviour and had repeatedly withheld information regarding his convictions led to a stern view being taken.

Resolved:

That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused on the grounds that the applicant was not a fit and proper person due to the number and type of offences committed and the relatively short time that had elapsed since the date of the last offence.

Background papers: exempt