North Yorkshire Council
General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee
03 March 2026
Application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence – PHV 022E
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 Anapplication for the renewal of a private hire vehicle licence has been received. 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: Vauxhall
Model: Zafira Design
Colour: RED
First Registration: 29 July 2014
Mileage: 96,678 (at time of MOT test 18/11/2025)
Fuel Type: DIESEL
Engine Size: 1686 cc
Co2 Emission 134 g/km
2.4 As part of the application process, the vehicle passed an MOT test on 18 November 2025 with no defects recorded. The vehicle also passed the Council’s vehicle inspection on 14 January 2026 with no defects identified. These documents are attached at Appendices B & C.
2.5 Members are encouraged to view the vehicle before making their decision. It will be available on the day of the hearing for inspection.
3.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
3.1 The Sub Committee’s full range of options is set out in section 10. No other 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 has submitted a supporting statement to set out in detail the ‘Exceptional Reasons’ for submitting a request for this vehicle extension, this statement 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 29 July 2024. 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 Report(s)
Appendix C - MOT history
Appendix D – Supporting statement
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
06 February 2026
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.