Your Step-by-Step guide on how to become a private hire driver in London

November 20, 2024

Working as a Private Hire Driver in London can be a great way to earn money, have flexible hours, and even be your own boss. 

But before you can start working, there are several requirements you must meet. They include licence applications, vehicle inspections, background checks, and medical examinations. 

Here’s Ayan Capital’s guide to becoming a Private Hire Driver in London. 

Private Hire Drivers and Taxi drivers are not the same

Let’s talk about the difference between Private Hire Drivers and Taxi drivers. 

Working as a Private Hire Driver in London means that your vehicle can only be pre-booked, either via the phone or online. A Taxi, on the other hand, can pick up passengers at the taxi rank, or even be hailed in the street where Black Cabs are concerned. 

This is a legal definition enshrined in law, and you can be prosecuted for breaking it.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

London’s licensing authority is Transport for London, also known as TfL. It has strict eligibility criteria that all Private Hire Drivers must meet before they can even apply for a licence. 

The main requirements are:

  • Age. You must be at least 21, as driving experience is necessary in such a big city.
  • A legal right to live and work in the UK. TfL will not approve your application if you’re not legally allowed to work.
  • A full British, EU, or Northern Irish driving licence which you’ve had for a minimum of three years. If your licence was issued elsewhere, contact TfL for guidance. 
  • A valid passport and birth certificate to prove your identity.
  • A certificate of good conduct if you’ve spent more than three months living in another country. Whether you were working on holiday, you’ll need documentation from the country you were in.

If you meet all of the above criteria, you’re eligible to apply for a Private Hire Driver’s licence. And that means moving on to the next stage of the application.

Step 2: Medical Examination

You’ll need to pass a full medical with a qualified GP before TfL will approve your application. If you’re under 45, you’ll only have to do this once. If you’re over 45, you have to pass one as part of your initial application and then every time you renew your licence. 

The exam will include:

  • Vision tests
  • Blood work checking for diabetes 
  • BMI assessments
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Mobility tests
  • Physical health checks
  • Evaluation of any pre-existing health condition that could impact your ability to work as a driver

Step 3: DBS Check and Subscription

In order to work as a Private Hire Driver in London, TfL requires that you undergo a full background check, provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service.  The process can be done online and involves proving your identity and allowing a check of police records in that name. 

You’ll need to provide your:

  • Passport
  • National Insurance number
  • Driving licence
  • Debit/Credit card details
  • Home addresses going back five years 

Once you’ve completed the form, the check can take around two weeks. If you pass, you’ll be sent a certificate with the results. You can then upload it as part of your Private Hire Driver’s licence application. 

TfL also requires an ongoing subscription to the DBS update service, which keeps your checks and certificates up to date. You can also opt to allow employers to see your certificates online.

Applicants with convictions for violent crimes will automatically be disqualified.

Step 4: Pass language and knowledge tests

For your application to be successful, you’ll have to show a minimum standard of spoken and written English, as required by TfL, as well as pass a few other tests. 

They include:

  • English speaking and listening tests. This is a 20-minute conversation to assess your level of skill.
  • SERU assessments. TfL also tests your English reading and writing skill, as well as your understanding of Safety, Equality, and the Regulations around being a Private Hire Driver.
  • London knowledge checks. To assess how well you know the city. 
  • Safeguarding training. Helping you maintain the safety of children and vulnerable adults.

Guidance for the above assessments is available on the TfL website if you need it. You have to pass all of the tests to qualify.

Step 5: Tax Check

In addition to your driver application, you’ll also need to confirm your tax obligations. 

That means you have to:

  • Register for a Government Gateway ID on the HMRC page, if you don’t already have one. You can do that on gov.uk
  • Apply for a Tax Check code from HMRC to confirm that you’re paying tax
  • Add the Tax Check 9-digit code to your application.

Step 6: Send your completed application to TfL

Once you’ve completed all the tests, assessments, training, and paperwork, you’ll be able to send your application to Transport for London. TfL aims to process new applications within 10 days, but the whole process can take up to 16 weeks. 

Step 7: Getting your licence

Receiving your licence means you’re legally able to work as a Private Hire Driver in London for any company that employs them. 

But you can also work for yourself, and that means you’ll need a car that meets TfL’s vehicle standards. At Ayan Capital, we offer financing solutions designed specifically for Private Hire Drivers, so get in touch and get the support you need for your new career today!

Becoming a Private Hire Driver: What now?

As the process can take up to 4 months, it’s a good idea to get started on your application as soon as possible. Access the Tfl website and make sure you download the Private Hire Driver’s Handbook for free.

And while you’re doing that, Ayan Capital can help you find the perfect car – and finance package – to give your driving career the best possible start.