What the licence lets you do
The licence allows you to drive pre-booked private hire journeys in London for a licensed operator. Unlike a black cab, private hire work must be booked through an operator — you cannot be hailed in the street or pick up at a rank.
For many drivers the attraction is simple: London has the deepest demand in the UK, and a TfL licence is generally valid for three years, so there is less repeat paperwork than with an annual council badge.
The main requirements
The exact conditions are set by TfL, but in broad terms applicants need to satisfy the following areas.
- Age and driving licence history requirements
- The right to live and work in the UK
- A medical assessment to the standard TfL requires
- An enhanced criminal record (DBS) check
- Evidence of your English language ability
- Topographical skills and the SERU assessment
- Being assessed by TfL as a fit and proper person to hold the licence
How the process fits together
The order matters more than most applicants expect. The slow parts — the DBS check and TfL's own processing — are largely out of your hands, so the sensible approach is to start those early and use the waiting time to prepare for your assessments.
Our step-by-step application guide walks through the sequence in detail, including what to gather before you begin.
What it costs
Budget for more than the TfL application fee alone. There is the medical, the enhanced DBS, the assessments and, for most people, training. Our cost guide breaks down what to expect so there are no surprises halfway through.
Where Taxi Academy fits in
We provide the training and the support around the application. Our Silver package covers the full SERU and topographical syllabus with unlimited practice tests and English requirement preparation. Our Gold VIP package is the done-for-you option: medical arranged, enhanced DBS handled, TfL fees included and the application prepared and submitted with you.
We are an independent training and support provider. We are not TfL, we cannot promise a licence, and every eligibility and licensing decision is made by Transport for London.
Want your application handled end to end?
Our TfL Gold VIP package is our full-support option: training and study material, medical and enhanced DBS arranged, TfL fees covered and your application prepared and submitted with you. £1,250.
We prepare and support your application. The decision to grant a licence, and the outcome of every TfL assessment, always rests with Transport for London.
Frequently asked questions
Related TfL guides
PCO Application
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application from start to badge.
PCO Licence Cost
The costs to budget for: TfL fees, medical, DBS and training.
Eligibility
Age, licence history, right to work and the other basic conditions.
Medical
The Group 2 style medical, who can sign it and what to prepare.
DBS Check
The enhanced criminal record check and the DBS Update Service.
TfL PCO Licensing & packages
Our main London page: training, full application support and pricing.
This guide is general information based on our day-to-day experience supporting London applicants. Rules, fees and requirements are set by Transport for London and can change — always check the current TfL guidance before you apply, and contact us if you would like help understanding your own situation.
