TfL PCO Licence
Do you want to work as a private hire driver in London? To work as a private hire driver or minicab driver, you need a TfL PCO Licence issued by the Public Carriage Office. Transport for London is the body responsible for licensing drivers in London. TfL has set a few eligibility requirements and tests for private hire drivers to maintain high-quality customer service standards and ensure passenger safety. And if you want to apply for a PCO Licence, you should understand the eligibility criteria and prerequisites before applying.
This blog will explain who is ‘fit and proper’ according to the criteria set by TfL to apply for the private hire licence and will also elaborate on the reasons why your licence application can be rejected.
What are the Eligibility Criteria to Apply for the TfL PCO Licence?
To apply for the PCO licence, you must meet the following prerequisites:
- Age must be 21 years or older
- Must hold DVLA or UK driving licence for more than 3 years
- Clear criminal record check (DBS check)
- Clear medical checks
- No record of driving offences
- Pass the TfL English assessment test and SERU assessment
- Pass the topographical skill test
Who is ‘Fit & Proper’ According to TfL?
Each PCO licence applicant is analysed according to the pre-set criteria established by the TFL, which legislation refers to as ‘Fit and Proper’. This criterion ensures that every TfL PCO licence holder must be of good character and medically fit to avoid any negative impact on public safety and protection. Department of Transport’s Statutory guidelines, for the first time, provided the definition of ‘fit and proper’ for the licence, which states that you can judge an individual’s character by considering if you would allow any person you care about to travel alone in a vehicle driven by this person at any time of the day or night. Furthermore, it strictly advises not to give any applicant benefit of the doubt, where it puts public security and safety at stake.
If you successfully meet the criteria mentioned above, your TfL PCO licence will be issued and will be valid for the next 3 years; after 3 years, you’ll have to apply for its renewal. There are few cases where candidates fail to meet the eligibility criteria laid out by the TfL, and therefore their licence or renewal applications for private hire vehicles are rejected.
Grounds of your PCO Licence Rejection or Revoked?
The only reason a PCO licence application can be rejected is that you failed to meet the criteria and are longer considered ‘fit and proper’ by the TfL. Following are the few conditions which may cause the rejection or suspension of your licence:
- You are younger than 21
- Your specific medical condition makes you unfit
- Convicted of any violent offence
- Wrong identity information entered in the application
- Mistake in the application
- Any complaints or allegations lodged against you
- Conviction of major crime like murder, rape etc.
- In case you are still serving a custodial sentence
- If you have been subjected to any penalty for a serious sexual offence such as indecent behaviour, trafficking, or assault
- Convicted or subjected to any penalty for touting in the last 1 year or have more than 1 penalty in the previous 5 years
- Listed on children’s or adult’s barred list
What happens next?
Refusal or suspension decision of TfL PCO licence is subject to appeal. Suppose you think that TfL have the wrong information or you unintentionally made a mistake while filling out the application, in that case, you have 21 days after you have been notified to appeal a decision from TfL. You can also take legal advice if you are sure about your eligibility and you feel your application is unjustly rejected or suspended.
If rejection or suspension of your TfL PCO licence is upheld even after an appeal, then your application fee will be partially refunded. (This is because the DBS check, medical check and PCO application fee are non-refundable.)
Need PCO Licence Training? We're Here At Your Help!
Want to start a career in private hire driving or need to renew your TfL PCO licence? Contact us, and we’ll help you meet the training requirement for the TfL PCO licence. Haward Trainings offers TfL English and SERU assessment training with easy learning modules. We also offer Mock tests designed by our experienced trainers to help you prepare for the assessment. Registrations are open. Contact us now and start your PCO licence training or SERU assessment training with us.
