Licensing officers are known in some councils as enforcement officers.

Local authorities have a duty to ensure that private hire vehicles (hackney cabs or taxis that may be flagged down, minicabs, minibuses, school buses and coaches) are safe to ride in.

They also make sure that public entertainment premises - these include pubs and clubs that provide music or live entertainment, school and village halls and a growing number of venues where weddings are held - obey health and safety regulations and local by-laws.

Licensing officers work for district/borough, unitary and metropolitan councils.

Work Environment

Some of the work takes place in council offices where licensees and drivers come to apply for licences.

Officers also go out and about to inspect vehicles and check premises.

Some of the work is done on a regular basis; some is done in response to complaints from the public or as a result of ‘tip-offs’. They might for instance, visit a pub if someone has informed them that it holds illegal discos.

They normally work 37 hours a week. Some evening and weekend work is done most weeks.

Daily Activities

In order to obtain a licence or ‘badge’ vehicle drivers have to fill in application forms, pass a written test of local knowledge and provide proof that they have undergone a voluntary police check and had a medical examination.

Licensing officers help applicants to complete the forms if necessary and supervise the test. They check all the information and issue licences for a fixed period. During this period they make random checks on vehicles, asking for the driver’s ID, checking that cab meters are accurate and making visual safety checks of vehicles. If they are not satisfied they have the authority to suspend the badge and require a driver to attend test centre for a full mechanical check. Much of this enforcement work takes place at evenings and weekends. They also regularly check lists of drivers whose licences are due for renewal and contact any who have not made an application.

If working on public entertainment licences, licensing officers visit premises and interview the licensee. They then ask the police, fire service and environmental health officers whether they have any objections to a licence being issued on the grounds of safety, public order, hygiene or noise and put a notice of the application in the local press. If members of the public object, their views are recorded.

Licensing officers finally recommend that the licensing board (composed of elected councillors) grants or withholds a licence.

They are also responsible for issuing badges to doorkeepers or bouncers and ensuring that they have attended a required training course.

In both aspects of the work they may have to go to court and give evidence if an applicant makes an appeal against a licence refusal.

Skills & Interests

Licensing officers need:

• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• to be able to deal with people from all walks of life
• to be confident about speaking in public - for when they attend court
• to be tactful when dealing with some people - who may become aggressive - and learn the skill of listening while they get their complaint off their chest.

They must have or acquire a thorough knowledge of various local government acts and of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

Entry Requirements

Councils often ask for a minimum of four GCSEs/S grade at C/3 or above, including English and maths, but many entrants have higher qualifications, including degrees.

Experience of providing advice to the public or working in a customer service environment is usually looked for.

A valid, clean driving licence is a normal requirement.

Training is given on the job and, at the discretion of employing authorities, by attendance at short courses run by The National Association of Taxi and Private Hire Licensing and Enforcement Officers (Natphleo).

Estimated salary range

£15,880 - £19,770

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There are prospects of promotion to Senior Licensing Officer, with responsibility for the work of several licensing/enforcement officers and administrative officers/assistants.

A small council might employ one licensing officer and one senior licensing officers. In a large council there might be two licensing officer and one senior licensing officers.

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