North Yorkshire Council
General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee
20 January 2026
Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence
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 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 a private hire vehicle licence has been received. The application form and certificate of insurance is attached at Appendix A.
2.2 The applicant has requested that the vehicle be licensed to carry six people. Although the vehicle has seven passenger seats, it does not meet the private hire vehicle specification outlined at paragraph 172 of the Council’s Policy. This is due to the rear row of seats being considerably smaller than a standard seat, with reduced leg and headroom and a narrower width, making them unsuitable for carrying adults comfortably. There is also considered to be insufficient luggage space for the proposed number of passengers to be carried.
2.3 Members should also note that the insurance certificate only authorises the carriage of school children for hire or reward when it relates to their attendance at school. Therefore, if the operator carries passengers for hire or reward for any other purpose, they would not be insured.
2.4 Details of the vehicle are as follows:
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Tiguan Aspace R-Line TDI 4M SA
Colour: Blue
First Registration: 15/12/2023
Mileage: 10529 (at time of MOT test)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Size: 1968 cc
Co2 Emission: 170 g/km
2.5 As part of the application process, Officers can confirm that the vehicle passed an MOT test on 27 November 2025 with no defects recorded. The vehicle also passed the Council’s vehicle inspection on 5 November 2025 with no defects identified. These documents are attached at Appendix B.
2.6 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 C.
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 meets the private hire vehicle specification which is attached at Appendix D. The vehicle registration document (V5) is attached at Appendix E.
9.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
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.
|
10.0 |
RECOMMENDATION(S)
|
|
10.1
10.2
10.3
|
To grant the application
To grant the application including additional conditions; or
To reject the application
|
APPENDICES
Appendix A – Application form
Appendix B – Vehicle Inspection Report & Mot History
Appendix C - Applicant’s supporting statement
Appendix D – Private Hire Vehicle specification
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
19 December 2025
Report Author – Lisa Templeton – Licensing Enforcement Officer
Presenter of Report – Lisa Templeton – Licensing Enforcement Officer
Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.