Darlington Council to decide Uber’s operator licence fate today

Darlington Borough Council will soon determine whether ridehail giants Uber will receive a private hire operator’s licence, marking the first time the ride-hailing giant has applied for such a licence in the borough.

The decision, scheduled for Tuesday 13 August 2024, will hinge on whether the council deems Uber a "fit and proper" entity under the borough's licensing standards.

Uber's application, submitted in May 2024, requests a five-year licence to operate from a premises at Yarm Road Business Park, Darlington.

While Uber already operates under similar licences across the UK, this application has drawn local attention, particularly due to a specific policy within Darlington’s Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy. This policy mandates that all operators maintain a local base with a fixed landline telephone for bookings, a requirement Uber does not meet, relying instead on its app-based booking system.

The report presented to the council acknowledges that while Uber complies with the broader legal framework, its modern operational model diverges from traditional licensing conditions set by the council. Given these differences, the decision to grant a licence falls outside the usual delegated authority and will be made directly by the councillors.

In recent years, Uber has faced scrutiny and regulatory challenges in various parts of the UK, including a high-profile dispute with Transport for London (TfL) and a data breach that led to the temporary suspension of its licence in York. However, changes made to its business practices, particularly in response to these incidents, have seen Uber regain its footing in cities like York, where it was recently re-licensed.

The decision before Darlington Borough Council will consider public safety, regulatory compliance, and Uber’s history as part of the "fit and proper" test. Should the licence be granted, it could include standard conditions or additional stipulations tailored to the specific concerns raised by the council.