To become a private hire minicab driver in London, you must hold a PCO Licence. Before you apply for your PCO Licence complete an enhanced CRB/DBS check, complete TfL Medical Declaration Form (TPH/204) and then send off your London Private Hire Driver Licensing Application Form (PHV/203) to TfL. You will then be invited to book your topographical skills test and once you pass, you will be issued with your Private Hire Minicab licence. From October 14th 2016 all new and renewal applicants will have to complete a TfL English Test. There are fees for each part of the application process, please check our PCO Licence costs to see what it will cost you.
The TfL Topographical Test is made up of 5 modules that cover a range of skills. You will be firstly asked to identify locations on an AZ Atlas, followed by answering route planning questions at different distances and then some basic topography related questions. Our topographical skills training covers all the modules followed by a topographical skills mock test.
We offer a timed topographical skills mock test service. You will be tested in exam conditions and then provided with results and feedback. This is a great way to see if you’re ready for the actual test. Remember you only get 2 chances to pass the actual TfL Topographical Skills Test.
Transport for London Private Hire application process has changed, from 14th October 2016 ALL applicants will need to show proof they can communicate in English with either a B1 level English certificate or equivalent.
Knowing how to communicate in clear English is a vital part of being a private hire minicab driver. Not only is it good for your own customer service but for the safety and comfort of your passengers. This new addition will also benefit you in other aspects of your work and life, so we encourage people to approach the new requirement with confidence.
We have B1 English language courses available to help you gain the confidence to pass the B1 English language test. Get in touch and we will help you get started.
UPDATE:TfL have provided a list of alternative qualifications they will accept as evidence for English Language Requirements. We offer alternative vocational courses to the TfL B1 English Test. View more information about alternative courses here.
Drivers who applied for their Private Hire PCO Drivers licence through Uber’s ignition service are being ordered by TfL to re-do their DBS CRB Criminal Background checks due to the recent increase in reported crimes involving Uber drivers. The number of crimes reported against Uber drivers have doubled in the last year. Transport for London has ordered around 13,000 Uber drivers to apply for a new criminal record check. These drivers used Ubers own…
The TfL website was updated on 26th July 2017 to confirm the much talked about delay to the TfL English Test requirement deadline. Originally TfL announced the English Language Requirement and set a deadline for any drivers applying or renewing after the 14th of October 2016, would need to provide proof of English Language in a form of a valid certificate by the end of March 2017. This date was delayed after Uber UK…
The popular Uber minicab app has lost it’s case against Transport for London to block the English Language Requirement rules brought in by TfL for London private hire minicab drivers. Transport for London have stressed that all private hire licensed minicab driver should have the ability to communicate in English and must prove this by taking the PCO English Test which involces Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. One of the key reasons TfL introduced the…
