Are you looking to get a PCO licence and work as a private hire driver? If you want to provide minicab hiring services in the UK, the first step is to get a valid PCO Private Hire Licence by Transport for London (TfL). Without a licence, you cannot operate as a minicab driver in the UK, and no minicab driver operator will hire you for the job unless you hold a valid licence. The PCO licence provides an entitlement to carry passengers in private hire vehicles such as minicabs and Uber. PCO stands for Public Carriage Office, named after the body responsible for managing hired vehicles, now known as TfL. Currently, TfL is the responsible government body for making legislation and plans to improve the transport network and issue private hire licences.
This blog provides details regarding PCO licence and a comprehensive step-to-step guide to apply for it.
Who can apply for a PCO Licence?
- Applicant must be at least 21 years old
- Must hold the UK driving licence for at least three years
- Clear criminal record check (DBS check) to ensure you were never involved in any unlawful or illegal activity.
- No history of driving offences
- Pass the TfL English assessment test to ensure the applicant can easily communicate, read and write in English.
- Pass the Topographical skills assessment to ensure you have the required map reading or routine tracing skills.
How can you apply for a PCO Licence?
If you fulfil the eligibility criteria for a PCO licence, you can apply for it in a few steps. To make the process easier to understand, we can divide the whole it into two parts: The Checks and The Tests.
a) The Checks
The checks must be generally completed before starting the application for a licence. These checks include a medical examination, background check, and check to confirm if you attain the right to work in the UK.
1. DBS Check
DBS check means Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check, which is done to ensure you have a clear criminal record. DBS check is mandatory to apply for the PCO licence to ensure everyone’s safety.
2. Medical Test
To get a PCO licence, every driver must meet the DLVA group 2 health standards to see if they are fit for driving private hire vehicles. Any doctor can do the medical test with complete access to all your medical records. You can download PCO driver medical form from the TfL website.
3. Right to work in the UK check
Before issuing a licence to anyone, TfL first confirms that the applicant holds the right to work in the UK. This simple check can be done online by TfL to verify your right to work as part of your PCO licence application. You can also provide additional documents for manual checks. If there are restrictions on the period of the right to work, you won’t get a licence longer than that period.
b) The Tests
The Tests include topographical skills and English language tests, which can be taken after submitting your PCO licence application.
1. Topographical Skill Assessment
The Topographical skills assessment makes sure you are well aware of the routes and have the ability to locate places and ways between various points. You can take Topographical assessments at TfL driver assessment centres. Your assessment will be computer-based, including plotting a route and using a map correctly. Moreover, TfL offers a range of special requirements and reasonable adjustments to conduct a fair assessment.
2. TfL English Assessment
The standard English assessment consists of two parts i.e.
- Speaking and Listening Assessment
This is a 15-20 minute test where you have to prove your verbal English is up to standard by conversing with the examiner.
- Reading and Writing Assessment
TfL has made SERU assessment mandatory for the PCO licence to ensure passenger and public safety. Now TfL uses SERU (Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding) assessment to assess the reading and writing skills. This consists of multiple choice questions.
How Can You Apply?
You can start your application for a PCO licence on the TfL website. First, fill out all the personal details and upload the required documents. PCO licence is valid for three years only; after that period, you will have to apply for the renewal of your licence.
How Can We Help You?
We provide a comprehensive guide regarding TfL English Assessments and SERU assessments along with SERU mock tests to prepare you for the tests. Our trainers assist each candidate pass test in a single attempt and help you apply for the PCO licence. Contact us now and start the assessment course!
