Article 25 Taxi driver’s licences

(1)

Any person may apply to the Department for a taxi driver’s licence.

(2)

The Department shall grant a taxi driver’s licence to an applicant if it is satisfied that—

(a)

the applicant—

(i)

subject to paragraph (4), is (and has been continuously for at least three years immediately before the date of his application, or in prescribed circumstances for such lesser period as may be prescribed) authorised to drive a motor car;

(ii)

is a fit and proper person to hold a taxi driver’s licence; and

(iii)

meets any further requirements that may be prescribed (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, requirements relating to training);

(b)

subject to paragraph (4), the requirement mentioned in paragraph (3) is met; and

(c)

any further requirements that may be prescribed are met.

(3)

The requirement referred to in paragraph (2)(b) is that the applicant shall pass such test of competence to drive a taxi as may be prescribed.

(4)

Paragraphs (2)(a)(i) and (b) shall not apply, for or until such time or for such a period as may be prescribed, to an applicant for a taxi driver’s licence under this Article who, immediately before the coming into operation of this Article, was the holder of a taxi driver’s licence granted under Article 79A of the 1981 Order.

(5)

A taxi driver’s licence shall be granted subject to such conditions as may be prescribed and such other conditions as the Department may think fit.

(6)

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (5), a taxi driver’s licence may be subject to the condition that the licence holder may only drive a taxi of such class as may be specified in the licence.

(7)

A taxi driver’s licence shall be in such form and shall contain such particulars as the Department may think fit.

(8)

A taxi driver’s licence shall be granted for three years or for such shorter period as the Department may consider appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(9)

An applicant for a taxi driver’s licence may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction against—

(a)

a decision not to grant such a licence; or

(b)

any condition (other than a prescribed condition) to which the licence is subject.

(10)

For the purposes of paragraph (2), a person is authorised to drive a motor car if—

(a)

he holds a licence granted under Part II of the 1981 Order (other than a provisional licence) authorising him to drive a motor car; or

(b)

he is authorised by virtue of Article 15A(1) or 19E(1) of that Order (Community licences and Great Britain licences) to drive a motor car in Northern Ireland.

(11)

In this Article “motor car” has the meaning given in Article 137A of the 1981 Order.