Apply for a private hire driver licence

Our online process makes applying and renewing taxi and private hire licences quicker and easier. As part of the ongoing modernisation of our taxi and private hire licensing service, you can create an online account. This means that if you're a taxi or private hire driver, or applicant, you can apply for or renew an existing licence and track its progress during the application process.

We process all applications within specific parameters. For existing drivers, applications are processed in order of their licence expiry date, to ensure continual licensing wherever possible. New applications are processed in order of the date we receive the application.

Applicants for a private hire driver's licence will only ever be asked to pay the cost of an application, please see table below for fees. We do not offer a fast-track service and will never charge more than the advertised application costs.

If you have been approached by a third-party offering a fast-track service at an additional cost, this is fraudulent and you should report it to us at tphreport@tfl.gov.uk.

Becoming a Private Hire Driver

Applicants must pass mandatory assessments before they can be considered for licensing including a topographical assessment, English language requirement and a Safety, Equality and Regulatory Awareness assessment. Private hire vehicles (PHVs) are also subject to the Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone. You should familiarise yourself with the licensing requirements before submitting your application.

Before you apply, we recommend that you research what becoming and working as a private hire driver entails, taking into account:

• Income
• Hours
• Outlay costs - including purchasing/renting a suitable vehicle, additional equipment and the costs of hire and reward insurance
• Whether your vehicle will be subject to the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone

You may want to speak to existing private hire drivers or your local minicab firm. There are also a number of trade bodies and unions, including, but not limited to:

• GMB Union - professional drivers branch
• App Drivers and Couriers Union
• The Licensed Private Hire Car Association

There are licensed operators all across London, offering a variety of services. Once licensed, you can work for any private hire operator licensed in London.

In order to be licensed, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be at least 21 years of age at the time of applying. There is no upper age limit, as long as you meet the other licensing requirements
• You must hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland, or other EEA state driving licence that's at least three years old*
• You must have the right to live and work in the UK
• If you are a first-time applicant you must give confirmation that you are aware of the HMRC guidance about your tax obligations. Should you be granted a private hire driver's licence you will be required to register with HMRC to pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade

However, if you currently hold a taxi or PHV driver's licence with TfL or another licensing authority, or have held such a licence that ceased to be valid in the last 12 months, you will be required to undergo a tax check as part of your application to ensure you are registered to pay the appropriate tax/taxes on income you earn from your licensed trade.

Please see the HMRC Tax check section for full details.

• You must be of good character. To establish this you will be required to undertake an 'enhanced' criminal records check from DBS through our authorised service provider
• You must be medically fit which means meeting the DVLA Group 2 standards. In most cases, this will mean that you will have to undergo a medical examination with someone who has access to your full medical history
• You will need to undertake a topographical skills assessment at one of the TfL driver assessment centres.
• You will need to pass two separate assessments: a speaking and listening assessment and a Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment which is used to determine your reading and writing skills.

*Although it is possible to exchange a licence from a designated country for a UK or EU/EEA licence, applicants must have held the UK or EU/EEA driving licence for at least three years. How long a licence from a designated country was held for prior to being exchanged is not taken into account in determining the three year requirement.

Please note, we require that all given names on any official identity documents are displayed on your private hire driver's licence.

We strongly recommend that all identity documents match, our expectation is that all official documents have consistent spelling and are in the correct order. This will prevent any queries in regards to your identity during the course of your licence or application.

Taxi and private hire driver policy

Policies, advice and guidance on licensing taxi and private hire drivers in London.