Glasgow private hire driver refused licence after investing £18,000 on vehicle

A private hire car driver who has been operating across Glasgow for nine years has had his application to use his own vehicle refused by the city council.

Shabbir Ahmed appeared before members of the licensing committee on Thursday to request a private hire car licence for three years after spending £18,000 investing in his own vehicle.

But the bid was denied by councillors as a result of the council’s over provision policy which says there is a limit of 3450 private hire car licences operating in Glasgow.

During the meeting a representative for Mr Ahmed confirmed that the applicant had a clean licence and had not been in any incidents.

He said: “Mr Ahmed was granted a temporary licence last year and invested £18,000 in purchasing his own car as he thought he would get a permanent licence, otherwise he probably would not have made such a big investment.

“He has a wife and child to provide for. If he were to lose this licence it would be devastating for him.

“Mr Ahmed was of the understanding that this licence would not just be temporary – that is why he made the investment. We would like this to be granted under exceptional circumstances.”

Chairman and councillor Sean Ferguson said: “There is nothing to stop the applicant from applying for a full term licence but it still goes against our over provision policy.

“We are not able to renew a temporary licence unfortunately and I am sympathetic to the circumstances of the applicant but it still comes up against council policy.”

Following a short recess it was determined that the application should be refused. Applicants shall be informed of the decision in due course.