Objective of NR3. The simple objective of the national register is to ensure that authorities are able to take properly informed decisions on whether an applicant is fit and proper, in the knowledge that another authority has previously reached a negative view on the same applicant. This will be achieved by providing a mechanism for licensing authorities to be able to check whether an individual has had a licence refused or revoked. Whenever a licensing authority processes a new application for a xxxxxxx carriage/PHV driver’s licence, or for a renewal, it should check the register at a suitably early stage of the process to confirm whether the applicant was subject to a previous licensing decision that they should be aware of. Every application must always be considered on its own merits. A licensing authority must not xxxxxx its decision-making, or appear to have simply relied upon the previous decision of another authority. The purpose of the register is not to mean that an applicant who has been refused a licence on one occasion will always be refused. However, it will always be relevant for an authority to consider a previous refusal or revocation, and the reasons for that decision. That previous decision may in many cases warrant significant weight to be given to it. Licensing authorities will wish to think carefully about taking a different view to an earlier decision. Depending on the nature and context of the earlier decision, they may require strong and new evidence to support a different view, having regard to the representations of the applicant. Any authority will wish to have proper respect for the decision of a previous authority, having regard to the fact that a driver had the right of appeal to the Magistrates’ Court against a decision which was wrong or flawed. Without this approach, the objectives of safeguarding and consistency – and the reputation of local government – will be undermined. The register will not record suspensions of drivers’ licences. This is for the following reasons:
