Private Hire News

April 2003 - Driver Licensing Finally Scheduled
The most important element of the 1998 Private Hire (London) Act has finally been agreed, and is set out as follows:

1 April 2003
The Public Carriage Office (PCO) can first accept and start to process a Private Hire (PH) driver application. New drivers (ie. any driver not currently registered under the driver pre-licensing registration scheme) may apply from this date.


1 June 2003,
1 June 2003, This is the date when PH driver licensing offences can be committed. In other words, unless a driver is licensed or in possession of a temporary permit issued by the PCO, both the driver and the operator is committing an offence.


1 April 2006
It is itended that all "existing" drivers are licensed and for new drivers (ie drivers registered after 1 June 2003 , to demonstrate geographical / topographical skills.

For the full proposal and schedule of driver licensing , visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ph_drivers.shtml