Posted on the 1st July 2026 in PHTM News

FAREHAM GRANTS PH LICENCES TO DRIVERS WITH OVERSEAS BACKGROUND CHECK GAPS DUE TO CONFLICTS

Fareham Borough Council’s licensing panel has approved private hire licences for two applicants despite significant gaps in their overseas criminal records, ruling that both men are "fit and proper" to work.

The decisions, made during a meeting on June 16, mark a departure from standard licensing policies due to what councillors described as exceptional circumstances beyond the drivers' control.

The first applicant, "Mr H," was granted a licence despite a 12-year gap in his history caused by the collapse of the Afghan government.

Born in Afghanistan, Mr H explained he was in education before leaving the country, moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and arriving in the UK in 2025. Because official records were wiped following the Taliban’s return to power, he could not provide a certificate of good conduct.

The panel noted that Mr H had a completely clear UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and DVLA driving licence. Councillors concluded that the missing records were not his fault and that there was "no evidence of a risk to public safety."

The second applicant, "Mr G," had his licence approved despite missing background checks from Sri Lanka prior to his move to the UK in 2006.

Mr G told the panel he could not safely return to his home country due to his political stance, and his elderly parents were unable to secure the document for him.

Acknowledging these exceptional reasons, the panel approved his licence but changed the standard terms to restrict it "to the duration of Mr G’s right to work in the UK."


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