Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998

13 London PHV driver’s licences.E+W

(1)Any person may apply to the [F1licensing authority] for a private hire vehicle driver’s licence for London (in this Act referred to as a “London PHV driver’s licence”).

(2)The [F1licensing authority] shall grant a London PHV driver’s licence to an applicant if [F2the authority] is satisfied that—

(a)the applicant has attained the age of 21, is (and has for at least three years been) authorised to drive a motor car and is a fit and proper person to hold a London PHV driver’s licence;

[F3(aa)the applicant is not disqualified by reason of the applicant's immigration status from driving a private hire vehicle; and]

(b)the requirement mentioned in subsection (3), and any further requirements prescribed by the [F1licensing authority], are met.

[F4(2A)In determining for the purposes of subsection (2) whether an applicant is disqualified by reason of the applicant's immigration status from driving a private hire vehicle, the licensing authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.]

(3)The [F1licensing authority] shall require applicants to show to [F2the authority’s] satisfaction (whether by taking a test or otherwise) that they possess a level—

(a)of knowledge of London or parts of London; and

(b)of general topographical skills,

which appears to [F2the authority] to be appropriate.

The [F1licensing authority] may impose different requirements in relation to different applicants.

(4)The [F1licensing authority] may send a copy of an application to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or the Commissioner of Police for the City of London with a request for the Commissioner’s observations; and the Commissioner shall respond to the request.

(5)A London PHV driver’s licence—

(a)may be granted subject to such conditions as the [F1licensing authority] may think fit;

(b)shall be in such form and shall contain such particulars as the [F1licensing authority] may think fit; and

(c)[F5subject to section 13A,] shall be granted for three years or for such shorter period as the [F1licensing authority] may consider appropriate in the circumstances of the particular case.

(6)An applicant may appeal to a magistrates’ court against a decision not to grant a London PHV driver’s licence or against any condition to which such a licence is subject.

(7)For the purposes of subsection (2), a person is authorised to drive a motor car if—

(a)he holds a licence granted under Part III of the M1Road Traffic Act 1988 (other than a provisional licence) authorising him to drive a motor car; or

(b)he is authorised by virtue of section 99A(1) or 109(1) of that Act (Community licences and Northern Ireland licences) to drive a motor car in Great Britain.