Defending Your Road to Livelihood: Expert Legal Representation for Taxi Drivers
Wiki Article
In the taxi and private hire trade, your licence is more than a permit; it is your business, your career, and your family's security. However, the regulatory landscape for drivers in the UK is stricter than ever. Licensing authorities, from Transport for London (TfL) to local councils like Wolverhampton, Sefton, and Manchester, are under immense pressure to prioritise public safety. This has led to a "zero tolerance" approach where even minor infractions or unproven allegations can result in the immediate revocation or suspension of your licence.
At TMC Solicitors, we are dedicated Taxi licensing solicitors. We understand the unique pressures faced by Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers. We know that a revocation notice can arrive out of the blue, plunging your life into uncertainty. Our mission is to provide the robust, specialist legal defence you need to challenge unfair decisions and get you back on the road.
The "Fit and Proper" Threshold
Every decision to grant, renew, or revoke a taxi licence boils down to one legal concept: the "Fit and Proper Person" test. Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and related London legislation, a council cannot licence you unless they are satisfied you meet this standard.
The challenge for drivers is that "fit and proper" is not clearly defined in statute. It is a broad discretionary power. Authorities consider your driving record, medical fitness, criminal history (including spent convictions), and even "soft intelligence" like unproven complaints. If a licensing officer determines that you pose a risk to the public—however slight—they will revoke your licence.
As specialist Taxi licensing solicitors, we know how to dismantle these assessments. We argue that a single error of judgment does not make you "unfit." We present evidence of your long track record of safety, your character references, and your professionalism to prove that the council's decision was disproportionate and wrong.
Immediate Revocation vs. Standard Revocation
One of the most critical distinctions in taxi law is between a standard revocation and an "immediate" revocation (often under Section 61(2B) of the 1976 Act).
- Standard Revocation:You can usually continue to drive and work while your appeal is pending.
- Immediate Revocation:The council deems you an immediate danger to public safety. You must stop working the moment you receive the notice.