(1)A person—
(a)shall not drive a public service vehicle on a road unless he is licensed for the purpose under this section: and
(b)shall not employ a person who is not so licensed for the purpose to drive a public service vehicle on a road.
Notwithstanding section 1(1) of this Act, in this section and in sections 23 to 26 of this Act " public service vehicle " shall be construed as meaning a stage; express or contract carriage.
(2)The authority having power to grant under this section a licence to a person to drive a public service vehicle shall be—
(a)where the person seeking the grant of the licence is, at the time of the application therefor, resident in a traffic area other than the Metropolitan Traffic Area, the traffic commissioners for the traffic area in which he then resides;
(b)where the person seeking the grant of the licence is, at that time, resident in the Metropolitan Traffic Area, the commissioner of police of the metropolis.
(3)A person shall be disqualified for obtaining a licence to drive a public service vehicle unless he fulfils such conditions as may be prescribed.
(4)A licence to drive a public service vehicle may be limited to such type or types of vehicles as may be specified in the licence.
(5)A licence to drive a public service vehicle may at any time be suspended or revoked by the authority by whom it was granted upon the ground that, by reason of his conduct or physical disability, the holder is not a fit person to hold such a licence; and a licence suspended under this subsection shall during the time of suspension be of no effect.
(6)A licence to drive a public service vehicle shall, unless previously revoked, continue in force for five years from the date on which it is expressed to take effect.
(7)Without prejudice to section 23(3) of this Act if, on the date on which an application is made for a licence to drive a public service vehicle, the applicant is the holder of such a licence, the existing licence shall, notwithstanding anything in subsection (6) above, continue in force until the application is disposed of.
(8)A licence granted under this section to a person resident in any traffic area shall be valid in every other traffic area.
(9)Subject to section 68(1) and (3) of this Act, a person who contravenes subsection (1)(a) or (b) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.