A PCO licence is essential for private hire driving in London. You cannot work for apps like Uber and Bolt without it. The licence proves you meet TfL’s strict safety standards to drive and earn income.
The process of obtaining a PCO licence involves testing your driving experience, your character, and your knowledge of traffic regulations. Once you have the licence, you can use a PCO car hire or rent-to-buy plan to start driving and earning.
In this article, we will cover everything involved in the PCO licence process. Understanding the process saves you time and prepares you for the challenges ahead.
Hold a Valid UK Driving Licence
You must hold a full UK driving licence for at least three years before applying. The rule applies to both manual and automatic vehicle licences. TfL enforces this rule strictly because driving in London presents unique challenges. Traffic can be unpredictable with complex road layouts and road charges require constant awareness.
New drivers often lack the experience to deal with these situations expertly.
If you have a foreign driving licence, you must exchange it for a UK licence first, then wait for at least three years before applying. Your previous foreign driving experience does not count. The goal of this policy is to make sure that PCO drivers are familiar with London’s road signs and laws.
Meet the Right to Work Requirements
You must prove your legal right to work in the UK. TfL verifies this status rigorously, and they will reject applications without proper proof. British and Irish citizens can use a valid passport, while EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals must provide a share code from the UK government’s online service. TfL uses this code to check your immigration status. Non-UK citizens need a valid visa or residence permit as well.
TfL also requires additional documents for some applicants. For example, if you have lived outside the UK for three continuous months in last ten years, you must provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from that country or an explanation/reference if you don’t have a CoGC. Gather these documents before applying, as incomplete documentation delays the entire application process.
Pass an Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS check is a criminal background check. TfL uses it to assess your character, including spent convictions, cautions, and warnings. The check digs deep into police records to confirm that only drivers with good character join the private hire industry.
Always disclose your full history during the check. TfL has zero tolerance for deception, and failure to disclose a minor offence can cause rejection. Violent or sexual offences lead to automatic disqualification. Theft and fraud also typically result in a failure. TfL checks each application individually, reviewing the nature, severity, and recency of offences.
Once you pass the check, register for the DBS Update Service within 30 days of receiving your certificate. This service costs £16 per year and allows continuous monitoring of your criminal record to simplify future licence renewals.
Complete a Medical Check
You must pass a DVLA Group 2 level medical check when applying for a PCO driver’s licence. This is the same standard for lorry and bus drivers because PCO drivers spend long hours on the road. So, it is more rigorous than a standard check. The examination assesses your fitness for PCO driving because a medical emergency at the wheel risks lives on the road or leads to costly car body repairafter a collision.
The test involves multiple assessments. An eyesight test confirms your vision meets TfL standards. The doctor will screen for conditions like diabetes or epilepsy and check your cardiovascular health. Good mental health is also important to pass the test.
You cannot use a walk-in clinic for the PCO medical check. The doctor must have full access to your medical history, so your own specialist is usually the best choice. You can also choose a TfL-approved clinic with experience in PCO medical checks. The cost of this check is usually between £80 and £150, depending on the clinic.
Pass the SERU Assessment
SERU means Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding. It is a written test that evaluates your knowledge of TfL’s rules. It also tests your ability to read and write in English. The test draws from official TfL guidance booklets, so you should study these materials beforehand. The content covers the rights of vulnerable passengers and also requires an understanding of the Equality Act 2010.
The test format has two key parts. The MCQs check your regulatory knowledge, while reading and writing exercises test your comprehension of the English language and traffic rules. You might need to explain a TfL rule in your own words or write a short report on a safety scenario. You only get two attempts to pass this test. Failure on the second attempt means restarting the entire application. So, prepare thoroughly using only official TfL resources.
Meet the English Language Requirement
Strong English skills are vital to communicate clearly with passengers. You need to understand road signs and instructions as well. The SERU test covers reading and writing, but TfL separately tests speaking and listening through the ELR assessment.
The test takes about 20 minutes and often happens over a video or phone call. An examiner assesses your speaking and listening skills through different questions. You must understand their questions and respond appropriately. You do not need perfect English, but you should have adequate communication skills that meet the CEFR B1 or intermediate level.
You can get an exemption from ELR if you have studied a degree taught in English.
Pass the Topographical Skills Test
This is a map-reading test to check your basic navigation skills. The test uses a London A-Z street atlas to see how you plan efficient routes between two points and provide a correct travel time estimate. You need to identify landmarks and boroughs as well.
The test evaluates your understanding of London’s geography. Successful applicants practice for weeks with a physical map before taking the assessment.
The knowledge of London’s roads helps you understand why the app suggests a certain route. Sometimes, navigation apps suggest long routes despite shorter ones being available. A knowledgeable driver can spot the wrong direction instantly.
Pay the PCO Licence Fee and Submit Your Application
You have now completed all the steps, and now it’s time to submit your application. Go to TfL’s official website and upload all your documents carefully.
You will need your valid UK driving licence, Enhanced DBS certificate, medical form (TPH/204), and your SERU and topographical test results. Proof of your right to work and your ELR certificate complete the set.
TfL’s processing takes time, so expect a wait of 6 to 16 weeks. Incomplete applications take much longer. Double-check every document before you submit, as a small mistake can add weeks to your waiting time.
TfL processes applications in the order it receives them. No fast-track service exists, and anyone offering one is a fraud. Report them to TfL immediately.
Beyond the Licence: Vehicle Requirements and Operator Affiliation
Your PCO licence alone is not enough to drive and earn. You also need a vehicle licensed for PCO work. If you don’t have a licensed vehicle, you can get one through a PCO hire company for a weekly fee. Just make sure your plan is all-inclusive, meaning that it should include everything from PCO business insurance to maintenance and MOTs in your weekly fee. This allows you to focus on driving and earning without worrying about paperwork or garage appointments. Your car provider will handle them for you.
Benefits of Obtaining a PCO Licence
The process is long, but the benefits are significant. The primary benefit is that you can legally work as a private hire driver in London on your own schedule. This allows you to work around studies or family commitments.
You can drive part-time or full-time. Just remember that your earnings link directly to your effort. There is no fixed salary. Your strategy and working hours determine how much you will earn. So, focus on offering a pleasant passenger experience to keep your ratings up and earnings high.
Conclusion
The path to a PCO licence requires significant investment of your time and money. However, each step serves a clear purpose. TfL designed the process to ensure driver quality and passenger safety. The requirements will likely become stricter over time, as London continues to raise its safety and environmental goals. Before applying, do an honest self-assessment. If you have the necessary experience, documents, and the will to prepare for SERU, topographical, and ELR assessments, then your chances of success are high. Otherwise, you should follow a different path.
