Protecting Your Livelihood: Why You Need Taxi Licensing Experts in Your Corner
For a professional driver, a PCO, Hackney Carriage, or Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence is not just a piece of plastic; it is the foundation of your entire livelihood. It pays the mortgage, supports your family, and represents years of hard work. Yet, this livelihood is constantly at risk. Local authorities and Transport for London (TfL) are under immense pressure to ensure public safety, leading to increasingly aggressive enforcement. A single complaint, a minor driving offence, or a medical setback can trigger a process that ends with your licence being revoked.
At TMC Solicitors, we are recognised Taxi licensing experts. We understand that when your licence is on the line, you are not just fighting a bureaucracy; you are fighting for your financial survival. We provide the specialist legal defence required to navigate the complex regulatory framework of the taxi trade, ensuring that your side of the story is heard and your right to work is protected.
The "Fit and Proper Person" Test: The Core Battleground
The heart of all taxi licensing law in the UK is the "Fit and Proper Person" test. Legislation dictates that a licensing authority must not grant or renew a licence unless they are satisfied that the applicant is a "fit and proper" person to hold it.
The problem for drivers is that this term is not strictly defined in law. It is open to interpretation by council officers and licensing committees. It covers everything from your criminal record and driving history to your medical fitness and general conduct. If a licensing officer asks, "Would I allow my son, daughter, spouse, or mother to get into a vehicle with this person alone?" and the answer is "no," your licence is in danger.
As Taxi licensing experts, we know how to challenge this subjective assessment. We know that a single mistake or a misunderstanding should not define your character. We help you build a dossier of evidence—character references, medical reports, and proof of rehabilitation—to demonstrate that you remain a safe and trustworthy professional.
Facing the Licensing Committee
If your licence is under review, you may be invited to an interview or summoned to appear before a Licensing Sub-Committee. This is a daunting experience. You will face a panel of councillors and legal advisors who will scrutinize your history.
Going into this hearing alone is a risk. Drivers often say the wrong thing, get angry, or fail to address the committee's specific legal concerns. TMC Solicitors prepares you for this ordeal. We review the evidence against you beforehand. We attend the hearing with you, acting as your advocate. We cross-examine witnesses (if permitted), challenge the council's evidence, and present your case with professional detachment and legal authority. Our goal is to persuade the committee to issue a warning or a short suspension rather than a full revocation.
Revocation and Suspension: The Right to Appeal
If the worst happens and your licence is refused or revoked, it is not the end of the road. You have a statutory right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court. However, the clock is ticking. You strictly have 21 days from the date of the decision letter to lodge your appeal. If you miss this deadline, your right to challenge the decision is lost forever.
Appealing to the Magistrates' Court is a formal legal process. It is a complete rehearing of the case. The council will send their own solicitors to defend their decision. You need Taxi licensing experts to level the playing field. We draft the grounds of appeal, prepare the trial bundle, and represent you in court. We have a strong track record of overturning council decisions by proving that they were disproportionate, based on incorrect facts, or failed to consider your mitigating circumstances.
Common Triggers for Licence Review
We defend drivers against a wide range of allegations that threaten their status: