Frequently Asked Questions

A PCO licence is the commonly used name for a London Private Hire Driver licence issued by Transport for London (TfL). You need this licence to work as a private hire driver in London.

You must be at least 21 years old, have the right to live and work in the UK, and have held an eligible full driving licence for at least 3 years. You must also meet TfL's medical, character and assessment requirements.

You'll need to provide the required application documents and complete TfL's licensing checks. These include an enhanced DBS check, medical assessment, right-to-work checks and the required TfL assessments.

Private hire driver applicants are required to complete the Topographical Skills Assessment, SERU assessment and English speaking and listening assessment.

SERU stands for Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding. It tests your understanding of the rules and responsibilities you need to know as a private hire driver and also assesses English reading and writing skills.

This assessment checks your ability to use maps, identify locations, and select and plan appropriate routes.

Yes. TfL requires private hire driver applicants to demonstrate the required level of English. Speaking and listening are assessed separately, while reading and writing are assessed through SERU.

Yes. You must meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standards. Your medical examination needs to be completed by a doctor who has access to your medical records, in line with TfL requirements.

Yes. TfL requires an enhanced DBS check as part of the private hire driver licensing process.

Yes. New and renewing taxi and private hire drivers are required to register with and maintain their DBS Update Service subscription. TfL carries out regular status checks through the service.

A Certificate of Good Conduct is an overseas criminal-record document. It may be required if you have lived outside the UK for a continuous period of 3 months or more during the last 10 years.

If you've lived outside the UK for 3 continuous months or more within the last 10 years, you'll need to declare this to TfL and may be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant country.

Processing times can vary. Your application may take longer if TfL needs additional information or if checks such as your DBS, medical or assessments are still outstanding.

There can be several reasons, including outstanding assessments, DBS or medical checks, missing or incorrect documents, right-to-work checks, or TfL requiring further information.

Submit your renewal application as early as possible. Applying early gives TfL more time to complete the necessary checks and reduces the risk of interruption to your ability to work.

You must declare relevant information accurately. TfL considers the information available when deciding whether an applicant is suitable to hold a private hire driver licence. Having something on your record does not by itself tell you the outcome of an individual application.

TfL accepts eligible full EU and EEA driving licences, provided you meet the other licensing requirements and have held the licence for at least 3 years.