Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to an application for a new Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Extension for a Volkswagen Sharan vehicle registration EY55 OUD. The vehicle was over 15 years old being registered in September 2005.

The Licensing Officer referred to the agenda report and the committee considered photos of the vehicle. It was noted that the vehicle has a valid MOT until 7 January 2021, and it had passed the recent taxi inspection test.

The Applicant attended the hearing and spoke in support of the application.

All vehicle licences are issued annually and Section 43 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 provides that a hackney carriage vehicle licence may only be in force for a maximum period of one year.

The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy provides that vehicles being presented for subsequent licensing are required to be under ten years old. The Council has the discretion to continue to licence vehicles which are older than ten years provided that the Council is satisfied that such a vehicle is in a good condition and good state of repair, and provided that it passes the appropriate testing standard.

The above Policy and statutory provisions reflect the Council’s responsibility to ensure that all hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are safe and fit for use.

RESOLVED - The vehicle registration EY55 OUD, Volkswagen Sharan, be approved for a 12 month Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Extension, in accordance with legislation subject to six monthly taxi inspection tests.

Reason for Decision

Having inspected the vehicle, read all written material, and listened to the representation by the Applicant and the Licensing Officer, the Regulatory & Appeals Committee was satisfied with the general standard of the vehicle, the state of repair, and the condition of the vehicle. Therefore it was considered the vehicle was fit for use for the general public and paying customers.