We will grant licences if we are satisfied that:

• You are eligible to work in the UK
• You are a fit and proper to hold such a licence
• You are not disqualified by reason of your immigration status from driving a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle.

We may refuse to renew a licence on the following grounds:

• Where, since the grant of the licence, the driver has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, indecency or violence
• Where, since the grant of the licence, the driver has been convicted of an offence under or has failed to comply with the provisions of the town police clauses act 1847 or of part ii of the local government miscellaneous provisions act 1976
• Where, since the grant of the licence, the driver has been convicted of an immigration offence or required to pay an immigration penalty or any other reasonable cause.

As part of the application you are asked about your convictions and cautions.  Amendments in 2013 to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’ and are not subject to disclosure to the Council as part of this application, and cannot be taken into account. 

This means that when deciding whether you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence, we are entitled to consider all your convictions and cautions, even those which are spent, except for any convictions or cautions which are ‘protected’.  If you have a conviction or caution and are unsure whether it is ‘protected’, contact a solicitor or visit GOV UK

Contact a solicitor or ask the licensing officer if you’re unsure about what you should declare.

Email taxis@crawley.gov.uk for more information.