Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998

13 London PHV driver’s licences. E+W

(1) Any person may apply to the [F1 licensing 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 [F1 licensing authority] shall grant a London PHV driver’s licence to an applicant if [F2 the 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; and

(b) the requirement mentioned in subsection (3), and any further requirements prescribed by the [F1 licensing authority], are met.

(3) The [F1 licensing authority] shall require applicants to show to [F2 the 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 [F2 the authority] to be appropriate.

The [F1 licensing authority] may impose different requirements in relation to different applicants.

(4) The [F1 licensing 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 [F1 licensing authority] may think fit;

(b) shall be in such form and shall contain such particulars as the [F1 licensing authority] may think fit; and

(c) shall be granted for three years or for such shorter period as the [F1 licensing 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 M1 Road 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.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 13 substituted (22.1.2001) by 1999 c. 29, s. 254(3), Sch. 21 para. 2 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/3145, art. 2

F2 Words in s. 13(2)(3) substituted (22.1.2001) by 1999 c. 29, s. 254(3), Sch. 21 para. 7 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/3145, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 13 modified (1.4.2003) by Private Hire Vehicles (London) (Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/655), regs. 1, 7

Commencement Information

I1 S. 13(1) (2)(a) (4)-(7) in force at 1.4.2003 by S.I. 2003/580, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(a)

I2 S. 13(2)(b) in force at 1.4.2003 for specified purposes by S.I. 2003/580, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(b)

Marginal Citations

M1 1988 c. 52.