Drivers licences

Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence - Relevant Convictions

When submitting an application for a licence to drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle you are required to declare all previous convictions or cautions you may have. The information you give will be treated in confidence and will only be taken into account in relation to your application.

You should be aware that this Authority is empowered in law to check with the Police for the existence and content of any criminal record held in the name of an applicant. Information received from the Police will be kept in strict confidence while the licensing process takes its course and will be retained for no longer than is necessary.

The disclosure of a criminal record or other information will not debar you from gaining a licence unless this Authority considers that the conviction renders you unsuitable. In making this decision this Authority will consider the nature of the offence, how long ago and what age you were when it was committed and any other factors which may be relevant. Any applicant refused a driver's licence on the ground that he/she is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence has a right of appeal to a Magistrates' Court.

If you have convictions, no matter how old they are, you should email The Hackney Carriage Officer on HackneyCarriage@southend.gov.uk in confidence to discuss them prior to application.

Further guidance on how licensing authority's must judge applications can be found in the 'Institute of Licensing's Guidance on determining suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire trades', and The Department for Transport's publication 'Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England.