Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998

13 London PHV driver’s licences

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

(2) The Secretary of State shall grant a London PHV driver’s licence to an applicant if he 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 Secretary of State, are met.

(3) The Secretary of State shall require applicants to show to his 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 him to be appropriate.

The Secretary of State may impose different requirements in relation to different applicants.

(4) The Secretary of State 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 Secretary of State may think fit;

(b) shall be in such form and shall contain such particulars as the Secretary of State may think fit; and

(c) shall be granted for three years or for such shorter period as the Secretary of State 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 [1988 c. 52.] 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.