55 Licensing of operators of private hire vehicles.E+W
(1)Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a district council shall, on receipt of an application from any person for the grant to that person of a licence to operate private hire vehicles grant to that person an operator’s licence:
Provided that a district council shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied [F1 —
(a)]that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold an operator’s licence[F2; and
(b)if the applicant is an individual, that the applicant is not disqualified by reason of the applicant's immigration status from operating a private hire vehicle.]
[F3(1A)In determining for the purposes of subsection (1) whether an applicant is disqualified by reason of the applicant's immigration status from operating a private hire vehicle, a district council must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.]
[F4(2)[F5Subject to section 55ZA, every] licence granted under this section shall remain in force for five years or for such lesser period, specified in the licence, as the district council think appropriate in the circumstances of the case.]
(3)A district council may attach to the grant of a licence under this section such conditions as they may consider reasonably necessary.
(4)Any applicant aggrieved by the refusal of a district council to grant an operator’s licence under this section, or by any conditions attached to the grant of such a licence, may appeal to a magistrates’ court.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 55(1) renumbered as s. 55(1)(a) (1.12.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 5 para. 21(2)(a) (with Sch. 5 para. 54); S.I. 2016/1037, reg. 5(i) (with reg. 6)
F2S. 55(1)(b) inserted (1.12.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 5 para. 21(2)(b) (with Sch. 5 para. 54); S.I. 2016/1037, reg. 5(i) (with reg. 6)
F3S. 55(1A) inserted (1.12.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 5 para. 21(3) (with Sch. 5 para. 54); S.I. 2016/1037, reg. 5(i) (with reg. 6)
F4S. 55(2) substituted (1.10.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 10(3), 115(7); S.I. 2015/994, art. 11(d)
F5Words in s. 55(2) substituted (1.12.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 5 para. 21(4) (with Sch. 5 para. 54); S.I. 2016/1037, reg. 5(i) (with reg. 6)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 55: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 Table B5
S. 55 extended (13.3.2000) by S.I. 2000/412, art. 4(4)