North Yorkshire Council
General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee
18 November 2025
Application for the renewal of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence
HCV 098C
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 hackney carriage 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 hackney carriage vehicle licence has been received from Kasib Ali. 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: Toyota
Model: Auris
Colour: BLACK
First Registration: 01/03/2015
Mileage: 275,819 (at time of MOT test)
Fuel Type: HYBRID ELECTRIC
Engine Size: 1797 cc
Co2
Emission
092 g/km
2.4 As part
of the application process, officers can confirm that the vehicle
passed an MOT test on 29 September 2025 with no defects recorded.
However, the vehicle initially failed an MOT on 25 September due to
the following defects:
i. Repair immediately (major defects):
· Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play
· Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play
· Steering column top bearing excessively worn
· Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced
· Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced
· Nearside Rear Body panel damaged and likely to cause injury Wheel arch
ii. Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
· Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play. Tie rod end
The vehicle also passed the Council’s vehicle inspection on 29 September 2025 with no defects identified. These documents are attached at 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 hackney carriage 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 Magistrate’s Court within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision.[1]
5.3 The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 requires Hackney Carriage Vehicles to be licensed.
5.4 Section 47 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 licence a vehicle for Hackney Carriage work. An appeal in relation to any attached conditions to the grant of a Hackney Carriage Licence, must be made to 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 47 of the Council’s Policy, the Licensing Authority will only generally issue a licence in respect of a hackney carriage 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 01 March 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 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 for one year.
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 Reports
Appendix C - MOT history
Appendix D – Applicant’s Statement – Exceptional Reasons for vehicle extension
Appendix E - V5 Registration document
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 – Steve Pinkney – 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.