Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licence Appeals

If you have been notified that your taxi licence or private hire vehicle licence is going to be revoked or suspended or you have been refused a licence, you need to act quickly to protect your livelihood.

At Nelson Guest, our expert taxi licence solicitors can advise you of your options and put together the strongest possible appeal on your behalf. We know how important it is to protect your job and we will work proactively to make a prompt appeal on your behalf.

We can advise you of your rights and make sure that we gather clear evidence in support of your case. Our taxi licence appeals team have an excellent track record of success in appealing negative decisions and will give you the best possible representation.

Our expertise in taxi and private hire vehicle cases includes:

• Advice on refusal or threatened revocation or suspension of:
  • Hackney Carriage licence
  • A Private Hire driver licence
  • An Operator or Fleet Operator licence
  • A minicab licence
• Advice on refusal to renew driving licence
• Identifying the strongest grounds to reverse the local authority’s decision
• Appeal to the magistrates court
• Appeals based on medical grounds
• Appeals of driving licence revocations

Get in touch with our taxi licence appeals solicitors

Our solicitors provide expert advice and representation for taxi licence appeals and private hire licence appeals. If you wish to make an appeal to the licensing authority, contact us today and we will do all we can to secure your licence.

Call 020 8309 5010  |  Ask us a Question |  Email us

Navigating this page

• What does a revoked taxi licence mean?
• Why is a taxi licence revoked?
• How do I appeal a revoked taxi licence?
• Can I continue working as a taxi driver while I wait for my appeal against revocation?

What does a revoked taxi licence mean?

If you have a revoked taxi licence, this means that the relevant licensing authority has decided to end your licence. You need to move quickly to appeal the revocation or you will no longer be able to operate as a taxi driver.

The licensing authority is usually either your local authority, local council or Transport for London. They will write to you notifying you of the revocation and you are strongly advised to seek legal advice straightaway as you only have three weeks in which to start an appeal.

Why is a taxi licence revoked?

Your licence could be revoked for a range of reasons, including:

• Accumulation of points on your licence
• A complaint
• Medical reasons
• A criminal conviction for dishonesty, indecency or violence
• Breach of local government regulations or policies
• Breach of the requirement to be a ‘fit and proper person’

You are entitled to be notified of the grounds on which your licence has been suspended, revoked or refused within fourteen days of the suspension, revocation or refusal.

What is a ‘fit and proper’ person?

There is no precise legal definition of what a fit and proper person is in respect to taxi licensing, however the local authority can take into account a range of issues, including:

• Points on your driving licence
• Behaviour towards road users and passengers
• Your conduct in dealing with the local authority
• The length of time you have held a driving licence
• Medical fitness
• Criminal convictions or police cautions
• Your good character

How do I appeal a revoked taxi licence?

There are several stages to appealing a revoked taxi licence, which are as follows:

• Lodge an appeal with the magistrates’ court
• Initial hearing
• Final hearing
• Decision

Lodge an appeal with the magistrates’ court

An appeal is started by writing to the local magistrates’ court within 21 days of the date on which you received notice of the revocation. It is crucial not to miss this deadline.

The letter should include all of your relevant details and set out why you believe the decision is incorrect. We can set out your case on your behalf, ensuring that all possible objections are included and that your appeal is as strong as possible.

A court fee of £62 is also payable.

Initial hearing

The initial hearing is when the magistrates will decide issues such as which witnesses they need to hear from, how long the case is likely to take and the key points to be considered. The local authority or Transport for London will usually be represented by experienced taxi vehicle licensing lawyers.

You are advised to instruct your own solicitor to ensure that you have the best possible representation, given the importance of your licence.

Final hearing

If you ask us to represent you, we will make sure that your witnesses have provided a statement and that they are available to attend the hearing. The other side may also have witnesses present and we can cross-examine them on your behalf.

You will also have the option to give evidence yourself, and we can prepare you for this and advise you of the sort of questions you may face if you are cross-examined.

It is important to attend court if you are notified of a hearing. If you fail to do so, the other side will ask for your appeal to be dismissed and you will also be liable to pay their costs.

Decision

The magistrates will consider the evidence and let you know their decision. If you are successful, they may also order that the other side pay your costs of the appeal.

Should you lose, you may be required to pay the other side’s costs.

You may be able to make a further appeal to the Crown Court if your appeal is initially unsuccessful, and we can advise you of your options.

Can I continue working as a taxi driver while I wait for my appeal against revocation?

You will have 21 days from receipt of the notice of revocation in which to lodge an appeal. Provided you meet this deadline, you will usually be able to continue working as a taxi driver while you wait for a date for your hearing and the outcome of your appeal. We can advise you further on the specific details of your case if you are not sure whether you can continue to work.

How our taxi licence appeals solicitors can help

Advice on the best course of action

It is important to put forward a robust case when you make an appeal. We can work with you to identify exactly what has happened and what the case against you is. We will then advise you of the best course of action and what witnesses will best support your position.

Preparing your case for appeal

We will liaise with your witnesses to obtain written statements and ensure they are available to attend court on the date of your appeal.

We will put together all possible evidence in support of your case and ensure that you are thoroughly prepared.

Representation on taxi licence and private hire licence appeals

We will attend court on your behalf, ensuring that you have the expert representation you need to protect your licence.

We have extensive expertise in dealing with taxi and private hire licence appeals and a proven record of good results. With your livelihood at stake, we suggest that you contact us today to secure the best possible protection for your licence.

Get in touch with our taxi licence appeals solicitors

Our solicitors provide expert advice and representation for taxi licence appeals and private hire licence appeals. If you wish to make an appeal to the licensing authority, contact us today and we will do all we can to secure your licence.

Call 020 8309 5010  |  Ask us a Question |  Email us