For a taxi or private hire driver, a licence is not just a piece of paper; it is the foundation of your entire livelihood. It puts food on the table and pays the mortgage. Yet, this livelihood is constantly at risk. Licensing authorities—whether Transport for London (TfL), Manchester City Council, or other local councils—have immense power to revoke, suspend, or refuse licences on the grounds of "public safety."
When you receive that dreaded letter stating your licence is under review or revoked, general legal advice is not enough. You need specialist Taxi licensing experts At TMC Solicitors, we understand the unique regulatory framework that governs the taxi trade. We know that a minor traffic offence or a malicious passenger complaint can snowball into a career-ending ban if not handled correctly. We provide the robust, specialist defence you need to fight the council and keep your badge.
The "Fit and Proper Person" Test: The Ultimate Hurdle
The core of all taxi licensing law is the "Fit and Proper Person" test. Legislation gives councils broad discretion to decide who meets this standard. They can revoke your licence not just for criminal convictions, but for "any other reasonable cause."
This vague definition is dangerous. We see drivers lose their licences for:
- Non-conviction information:Police arrests that never led to a charge.
- Soft intelligence:Unsubstantiated complaints from passengers about "attitude" or "inappropriate conversation."
- Pattern of behaviour:A history of minor speeding points which, while legal for a standard driver, are deemed unacceptable for a professional taxi driver.
As Taxi licensing experts, our job is to prove you are fit and proper. We dismantle the council’s narrative. We use character references, medical evidence, and detailed legal submissions to contextualize these incidents, arguing that a single mistake does not make you a danger to the public.
Revocation and Refusal Appeals: The 21-Day Ticking Clock
If your licence is revoked or refused, you usually have a strict 21-day window to lodge an appeal to the Magistrates’ Court. If you miss this deadline, the decision is final, and you are off the road.
This is where immediate action is vital.