Your PCO Licence In London
To work as a private hire driver in the UK, obtaining a PCO license specific to your working area is mandatory. Typically valid for three years, this license pertains to the individual rather than the vehicle and is officially termed a Private Hire License (PHL). Despite its technical designation, many still colloquially refer to it as a PCO license.
The acronym PCO originates from the Public Carriage Office, the former overseeing body for black taxis until its renaming by TfL as the Taxi and Private Hire Unit.
The application process for a PCO license can slightly differ depending on the location. In London, TfL manages the process, making it essential for aspiring PCO drivers in the city to undergo the TfL application procedure. The details provided in this article primarily focus on this particular process.
Outside London, local councils are responsible for issuing PCO licenses. Although there may be some regional variations, the overall process remains similar. For example, a license from the North Hertfordshire council may cover a broader area, while in Essex, a more specific district such as Harlow or Colchester may require a distinct license.
Minimum Requirements:
1. Possession of a valid driving license (Full UK driving license or from an EU or EEA state).
2. Age of at least 21 years, including a three-year qualification as a driver.
3. Legal right to work in the UK (Additionally, registration with HMRC for tax purposes is mandatory).
4. Good character, as outlined in pages 7-20 of the TfL rules.
5. No record of serious driving offenses, as detailed on pages 21-23 of the TfL rules.
The application process is multifaceted, comprising various elements, and may extend over several months. Essentially, it is divided into two main sections: the checks and the tests.
The checks typically precede the application for a PCO license on the TfL website. As for the tests, they can be undertaken after submitting the TfL application form. While many PCO drivers opt to complete all three tests in a single day, it is essential to schedule these in advance.
1. Health Evaluation:
PCO drivers are required to adhere to the DVLA Group 2 health standard. Typically applicable to drivers of large goods vehicles or buses, this standard surpasses the requirements for regular car drivers. While designed for professionals in the transport industry, undergoing a medical examination is considered a prudent step for any professional driver.
To fulfill this requirement, you need to have the designated form completed by your doctor or another health professional with access to your medical records. This health evaluation is not overly complex, and further information regarding specific health conditions that may hinder eligibility as a PCO driver can be found here.
2. Character Assessment:
Ensuring the integrity of private hire drivers is crucial, and the background check aims to verify that the individual possesses a ‘good character.’ The primary focus is on identifying any criminal records that could pose a risk when working closely with the general public.
To successfully pass this check, you are required to submit a form indicating approval from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This background check must adhere to the Enhanced DBS standard and needs to be conducted by TfL’s approved supplier.
For a more in-depth understanding of the background check process, additional details can be found on pages 7-20 of the TfL rules.
3. Right-to-Work Verification:
It is imperative to confirm your eligibility to work in the UK. For most individuals, this involves a straightforward online check conducted by TfL on the Government website after the submission of the PCO license application. In cases where the situation is more complex, additional documents may be requested for a manual check. Further specifics about this process can be found on page 27 of the TfL rules.
Since July 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals have been required to possess a valid immigration status in the UK, similar to other foreign nationals. Notably, reliance on a passport or national identity card alone for proving the right to work is no longer acceptable for these individuals.
For those who have resided outside the UK for three months or more in the past three years, completion of a specific form is mandatory.
Starting in April 2022, new PCO drivers must demonstrate their awareness of HMRC guidance concerning tax obligations in the UK. For renewal of an existing PCO license, it is necessary to furnish a tax-check code from the Government Gateway website, confirming registration with HMRC for tax payment. Additional details on this requirement can be found here.
4. Verbal Communication Test:
The initial examination assesses speaking and listening abilities for approximately 15 minutes, validating the acceptability of your verbal English. This evaluation is conducted within TfL premises at Baker Street or West Kensington, facilitated over a video or telephone link through a company named PeopleCert.
5. Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU): The second English proficiency test is a written assessment known as SERU. Its primary objective is to ensure that drivers can read and write English to the required standard. Additionally, it evaluates drivers’ comprehension of safety protocols and passengers’ rights.
The SERU test encompasses topics such as safeguarding children or vulnerable adults from harm, road safety and ensuring that every PCO driver is well-versed in the UK’s equality laws.
6. Topographical Skills Evaluation:
Concluding the PCO licence application process is the topographical skills test. This examination scrutinizes whether drivers possess a fundamental understanding of London’s geography and can effectively plan routes. For instance, it may task you with using a map to identify the shortest route between two landmarks.
Drivers are required to proficiently use a map index and demonstrate comprehension of basic map symbols, such as those indicating one-way systems or roundabouts.
Applying for a PCO Licence:
Initiating your application can be done through this platform here. Ensure you furnish all the necessary personal information as detailed above, along with an approved photograph.
Private hire drivers do not require a specific driving qualification, as long as they possess a suitable driving license.
Application Fees:
As of May 2022, TfL has outlined an approximate breakdown of the average PCO license application costs:
– DBS disclosure application: £52 (online) or £54 (paper)
– Licence application fee*: £124
– Grant of licence fee: £186
– Post Office® Check and Send: £7.15
– Speaking and listening assessment (if applicable): £36
– Topographical assessment (if applicable): £36
– SERU Assessment: £36
– Medical Fee (set by the examining doctor, e.g., your GP)
Example Total: £477 plus the medical examination cost
*Note: The application fee is non-refundable.