North Yorkshire Council
General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee
18 November 2025
Application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence – PHV 243F
Report of the Corporate Director – Environment
1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 To seek the determination by the Licensing Sub Committee of an application for a private hire vehicle licence that does not comply with the standard criteria as stated in the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy (“the Policy”). Such vehicles may be licensed at the discretion of the General Licensing and Registration Sub Committee.
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 An application for the renewal of a private hire vehicle licence has been received from Mr Kevin Hutchinson. The application form is attached at Appendix A.
2.2 As the vehicle is over 10 years of age, it does not comply with the vehicle age criteria outlined in the Policy which requires vehicles be less than 10 years old from the date of first registration.
2.3 Details of the vehicle are as follows:
Make: Ford
Model: Tourneo
Colour: BLUE
First Registration: 30/06/2015
Mileage: 386,409 (at time of MOT test)
Fuel Type: DIESEL
Engine Size: 2198 cc
Co2
Emission
172 g/km
2.4 As part of the application process, Officers can confirm that the vehicle passed an MOT test on 8 October 2025 with three advisory defects recorded. The vehicle also passed the Council’s vehicle compliance inspection on 8 October 2025 with no defects identified. These documents are included in Appendices B and C.
2.5 Members are encouraged to view the vehicle prior to making their decision. The vehicle will be made available on the day of the Sub-Committee hearing for members to inspect.
3.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
3.1 All of the Sub-Committee’s options are outlined in paragraph 10.0. No alternative options are available.
4.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
4.1 No financial implications have been identified.
5.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
5.1 The Licensing Authority must determine an application for the grant of a private hire vehicle licence in accordance with relevant legislation and the Council’s Policy. The Licensing Authority would leave itself open to appeal at the Magistrate’s Court or Judicial Review should it not comply with all legal requirements.
5.2 The Applicant may appeal against the decision of the Sub-Committee if it decides not to grant the application. An appeal must be made to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision.[1]
5.3 The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requires Private Hire Vehicles to be licensed.
5.4 Section 48 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allows the local authority to attach any conditions that the district council may consider reasonably necessary to license a vehicle for Private Hire work. An appeal in relation to any attached conditions to the grant of a Private Hire Licence must be made to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision.
6.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
6.1 No equalities implications have been identified.
7.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS
7.1 No climate change implications have been identified.
8.0 POLICY IMPLICATIONS
8.1 In carrying out its licensing functions, the General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee should have regard to the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
8.2 According to paragraph 8 of the Council’s policy, the licensing regime should ensure that licensed hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are of high quality, offer safety and comfort to the users and operate in such a way as to protect the public’s safety and well-being. Whilst facilitating access to an efficient and effective public transport service.
8.3 According to paragraph 15 of the Council’s policy,in most cases, when considering licence applications, the licensing authority will consider each application on its individual merits. It may, at times, allow exceptions to the general policy.
8.4 According to paragraph 16 of the Council’s policy, it will be necessary to consider, in relation to any particular application, whether the specific circumstances justify allowing an exception.
8.5 According to paragraph 17 of the Council’s policy, it will be up to the applicant to show that an exception should be made to the policy, and if the objectives can still be met, the licensing authority may exercise its discretion to depart from the general policy. Where exceptions are made, reasons will be given. The applicant’s statement regarding exceptional reasons is attached at Appendix D.
8.6 According to Paragraph 172 of the Council’s Policy, the licensing authority will only generally issue a licence in respect of a private hire vehicle if it is less than 10 years old (the age of the vehicle shall be taken from the date of first registration shown on the vehicle registration document, V5C). The vehicle in question surpassed the policy age limit on 30 June 2025. The policy with regards to vehicle specification shall be applied in the majority of cases when considering licensing applications, but the licensing authority will consider each application on its individual merits and may, at times, allow exceptions to this policy. Where exceptions are made in this regard, vehicles shall be subject to three mechanical inspections each year. The V5 vehicle registration document is attached at Appendix E.
9.0 REASONS FOR OPTIONS
9.1 The vehicle does not comply with the standard criteria as stated in the Policy; therefore, the determination of the application rests with the Sub-Committee.
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10.0 |
OPTIONS
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10.1
10.2
10.3
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To grant the application
To grant the application including additional conditions; or
To reject the application
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APPENDICES:
Appendix A – Application form
Appendix B – Vehicle Inspection Report
Appendix C - MOT history
Appendix D - Applicant’s Statement – Exceptional Reasons for vehicle extension
Appendix E – Vehicle Registration Document (V5)
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
North Yorkshire Council’s Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy.
Department for Transport’s Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England (Updated 17 November 2023).
Karl Battersby
Corporate Director – Environment
County Hall
Northallerton
05 November 2025
Report Author – Alan Fane – Licensing Enforcement Officer
Presenter of Report – Alan Fane – Licensing Enforcement Officer
Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.