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• Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Handbook

  Safety, equality and regulatory information for London private hire vehicle drivers
• Transport for London (TfL)

  Responsible for the licensing and regulation of London's taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) industry to ensure a safe and reliable service for the public
• TfL sets regulations and policies for taxi (black cab) and PHV services to protect customers, and ensure vehicles are safe, accessible and meet strict environmental standards
• TfL is responsible for licensing all London's taxi drivers and vehicles, and private hire operators, drivers and vehicles
• TfL sets requirements and standards for licensing and is also responsible for making sure that licensees follow the law
• TfL works closely with the taxi and private hire trades, the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police to ensure the safety of passengers
• TfL is responsible for delivering the Mayor's Transport Strategy which sets out the transport vision for London between now and 2031
• PHVs


  Play an important role in delivering passenger transport services in London and it is essential that standards set by TfL ensure the safety of passengers and other road users
• TfL expects drivers


  To offer a high level of customer service, use clean and well-maintained licensed vehicles and to fully obey the laws of the road
• Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding Assessment


  The assessment that new applicants and existing PHV drivers have to do based on the information in this handbook
• Applicants and licensees must comply with all the laws and policies, and are encouraged to refer directly to the applicable laws and policies and to take independent legal advice where appropriate
• London PHV driver licensing

  To work as a London PHV driver you will need to be licensed by TfL - only then can you carry out bookings for a London private hire operator that is also licensed by TfL
• Licensing requirements


  • You must be aged 21 or older when you apply for your licence
  • You must have a full DVLA, Northern Ireland, European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) state driving licence that is at least three years old
  • You must have the right to live and work in the UK
  • You must be a 'fit and proper' person to hold a licence. You will need to have an enhanced criminal records check done by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
  • You must be physically fit. This will mean that you will need to have a medical examination with a doctor who has access to all of your medical records. The medical requirements are the DVLA Group 2 medical standards
  • You will need to take a separate test to check your ability to select and plan a route, read a map and identify locations. The test is held in a centre approved by TfL and conducted under exam conditions by a TfL examiner. This test is known as a Topographical Skills Assessment
  • You will need to prove that you have at least a B1 level of ability in the English language. B1 is a level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To prove your English language speaking and listening skills you will need to take a test. The test is held in a TfL building and conducted under exam conditions. Your English language reading and writing skills will be derived from the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding Assessment
• Private hire driver's licence

  If your application is approved, TfL will send you a London PHV driver's licence. Your licence may have some conditions attached to it. It is very important that you keep the letter and comply with any conditions that come with your licence. If you do not, then your licence may be revoked.
• Your London PHV driver's licence normally lasts for three years. If it is for a shorter period, the letter that comes with the licence will explain why.
• If a police officer or TfL Authorised Officer asks to see your licence, you must let them see it there and then or within a maximum of seven days.
• The PHV operator(s) you work with must keep copies of your PHV driver's licence and your DVLA/NI/EU/EEA driving licence.
• PHV driver's badge


  When you get your licence you will also receive a PHV driver's badge (also known as photographic ID). You must wear this badge at all times when you are working as a PHV driver.
• If you lose your PHV driver's badge or licence, or somebody steals it, report it immediately to TfL.
• Medical conditions


  To get your licence to be a PHV driver you must be medically fit. The standards you must meet are the DVLA Group 2 medical standards.
• From the age of 45, PHV drivers must have a medical examination each time they apply to renew their licence. From the age of 65, PHV drivers must have a medical assessment every year.
• You should tell TfL immediately if, between medical examinations, you develop a new medical condition that may affect your ability to drive.
• Change of address


  It important that TfL has your correct home address and email address so that you can be contacted with any information about your licence. If you change your home address, you should tell TfL within 21 days.
• You are also required by law to tell the DVLA if you change your address.
• Other changes in personal circumstances

  • If you have broken the law and have been disqualified from driving
  • If you are the subject of a mental health order or sexual offences order
  • If you are on either the Adults or Children's Barred Lists
  • If you have a private hire or taxi driver's licence with another licensing authority and that authority has suspended or revoked your licence, or refused any new application you have made
• Convictions, cautions and arrests

  You must tell TfL immediately if you are arrested, charged with, convicted or cautioned for any crime. This includes any fixed penalty notices or road traffic offences that result in penalty points on your driving licence.
• If you fail to tell TfL about any convictions, you could have your licence revoked.
• Right to live and work in the United Kingdom

  If there are restrictions on a driver's right to live and work in the UK, TfL will add an appropriate condition on the licence. If you are in this situation, you should make sure you comply with these conditions and make sure you have a continuing right to work.
• Complaints


  If TfL receives a complaint about you or becomes aware of any behaviour that is not satisfactory, TfL may write to you with the details.
• PCNs


  Penalty charge notices
• You do not need to tell TfL about any other penalty charge notices (PCNs) or parking tickets that do not result in penalty points on your driving licence
• If TfL becomes aware that you are getting frequent PCNs and/or parking tickets, TfL may take licensing action against you
• TfL expects all licensed drivers to behave responsibly
• Right to live and work in the United Kingdom

  If there are restrictions, TfL will add an appropriate condition on the licence
• Student visa


  You will only be allowed to work for a limited number of hours each week and you will not be allowed to be self-employed
• If TfL receives a complaint about you or becomes aware of any behaviour that is not satisfactory, TfL may write to you with the details and ask for your comments
• TfL can only make licensing decisions based on the information received
• Suspending or revoking a PHV driver's licence

  1. If your licence is revoked you must return your licence to TfL within seven days

  2. If you do not, or your licence has been suspended or revoked with immediate effect, TfL may send an Authorised Officer to take it from you
• Revoking a driver's private hire vehicle licence

  1. If your PHV driver's licence is suspended or revoked, and you are the owner of a licensed private hire vehicle, TfL may make the decision to revoke the vehicle licence as well

  2. TfL will consider doing this if there is any risk to public safety
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)


  A public body that does checks on people's backgrounds to show any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings