For a professional taxi or private hire driver, your licence isn't just a piece of plastic. It's your livelihood. It's your business. It's the way you pay your mortgage, feed your family, and keep your life running. It is, without exaggeration, the single most important document you own.
And it is frighteningly easy to lose.
Most people think of driving law as being about the police and the courts. But for a taxi driver, there is another, far more powerful, and often far more unpredictable authority: the local council licensing committee.
This committee, and the licensing officers who work for it, hold your entire career in their hands. They have the power to grant your licence, to suspend it, and to revoke it. And the frightening part? They don't have to "convict" you of anything. They don't need to prove your guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" like a criminal court.
They operate on a different, much vaguer standard: "Are you a 'fit and proper' person?"
This is a world of allegation, of "public safety" concerns, and of subjective decisions. It’s a world where a customer complaint, a minor road incident, or a misunderstanding with an officer can escalate into a formal hearing that threatens to end your career.
This is not a battle you should ever face alone. This is where you need taxi licensing experts.
We are TMC Solicitors. We are not just general solicitors who dabble in licensing. Our team is comprised of dedicated taxi licensing experts who live and breathe this specific, complex, and high-stakes area of law. We understand the unique pressures you face. We know the council policies, we know the legal arguments, and we know how to fight for your badge.
The "Fit and Proper" Minefield
Why is taxi licensing law so complex? It's because of this 'fit and proper' test.
A criminal court needs to prove you did something. A licensing committee only needs to believe you might do something. Their primary duty is not to you; it's to "protect the public."
This means a licensing officer can take a huge range of factors into account.
- A Customer Complaint:A customer makes an allegation against you. The police investigate and take "no further action." You think the matter is over. But it's not. The council can, and often will, still call you in for a hearing based on that same allegation, arguing that the allegation itself makes them question if you are 'fit and proper'.
- "Minor" Motoring Offences:To you, 6 points for a couple of speeding offences is a frustration. To a licensing committee, it's a "pattern of behaviour" that shows a "disregard for road safety." They can revoke your licence for "totting up" points, even if the court lets you keep your DVLA licence.
- Old Convictions:You may have a conviction from 10 or 15 years ago, long since "spent" in criminal law. But many councils have a policy that allows them to look at everything, no matter how old, in their assessment.
- Arguments with Officers or Passengers:A moment of frustration, a heated exchange. If it's reported, it can be framed as a "public safety" or "confrontational" issue, leading straight to a suspension.
In any of these scenarios, you will receive a formal letter. You will be invited to a hearing in front of a panel of councillors. You will be one person, alone, trying to defend your entire livelihood against a professional licensing officer and a panel that sees you as a potential risk. The odds are not in your favour.
How TMC Solicitors Change the Equation
Bringing taxi licensing experts like us into the fight changes the dynamic instantly. We are your shield and your sword.
- We Are Your Professional VoiceWhen you are at a hearing, you are emotional. Your career is on the line. It's easy to get flustered, to say the wrong thing, to get angry, or to be intimidated. We are not emotional. We are your calm, professional, and forceful legal representatives. We speak the committee's language. We handle the difficult questions. We ensure your side of the story is presented clearly, professionally, and persuasively.
- We Challenge the Council's CaseThe council's licensing officer will present a report against you. To you, this report might look final and factual. To our team of taxi licensing experts, it's a document to be scrutinised, challenged, and taken apart.
- Did they follow their ownpolicies correctly?
- Have they provided any actual evidence, or is it just hearsay from a complaint?
- Are they applying the law correctly, or are they "fetters's discretion" (i.e., just following a rigid policy instead of judging your unique case)?
- Is their proposed action—revocation—proportionateto the offence?
We find the weaknesses in their case, and we exploit them.
- We Build Your "Good Character" CaseYou are more than one single incident. But the committee will only see that one incident. Our job is to paint the full picture of who you are.
We work with you to build a powerful portfolio of your good character and professionalism. This includes:
- Gathering positive customer references.
- Proving your long, safe driving history.
- Highlighting your community involvement.
- Providing evidence of your family commitments and the financial hardship a revocation would cause.
We force the committee to see you as a real person, a dedicated professional, and a valued member of the community, not just as a case file or a risk.
- We Know the Appeals ProcessWhat if the council gets it wrong? If they revoke your licence, your fight isn't over. You have the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court.
This is a full legal hearing. This is not something you can ever do on your own. Our taxi licensing experts are experienced court advocates. We will prepare the entire appeal, gather all the evidence, and represent you in court to fight for the decision to be overturned. We know the legal arguments that win.
Your Licence is Your Life. Don't Risk It.
From the moment you receive that first warning letter from the council, you are in a legal fight. The council has professional officers and its own legal department on its side. Who do you have on yours?
Trying to handle a licensing hearing by yourself is the biggest gamble you can possibly take with your family's future.
TMC Solicitors are your partners in this. We are the taxi licensing experts who will stand by your side, defend your name, and fight for your badge. If your livelihood is on the line, don't wait. Contact us today for a consultation, and let's get a strategy in place to protect your future.