London’s PCO Licence – The Requirements, Application Procedure & Costs.
Welcome to London’s official PCO Licence website. Rest assured you’ll find the most up-to-date information on London’s PCO Licence here.
PLEASE NOTE: The Topographical Test will be conducted and invigilated by TfL at one of their own venues.
If you meet the PCO Licence Requirements, the step is to make a PCO Licence Application to TfL asap. Opt for our Platinum Package. We take care of the entire process. From arranging your in-house appointment to submitting your full application to TfL and assisting you with the English Language Test.
By now you must have questioned yourself about wanting to be your own boss, get away from the 9-5 and choose to work when it suites you. Becoming a PCO Licensed Driver in London is the very career path 000’s of people are turning to. One huge advantage is the use of “mobile apps”. As a driver you can now take advantage of working for several companies. The rewards are fantastic with earnings ranging from £500 to £2000 per week. The only limit is the time you are prepared to put in and who you work for.
This website is kept up-to-date. We give you a step-by-step guide on how to go about getting licensed and the options available to speed up the process considerably. There is a great demand for PCO Drivers in London so what’s stopping you? Apply Now!
PCO Licence: What is it?
The PCO licence is a licence to undertake Private Hire Work in London. Although the official name is a “Private Hire Drivers Licence” it’s commonly known at the PCO Licence. For the purpose of clarification this website refers to “London’s Private Hire Drivers Licence” as the “PCO Licence”.
It gives you an entitlement to carry passengers for hire and reward. Without a PCO Licence no minicab operators or offices in London will employ you. Remember, it’s illegal to carry passengers for payment in London without being appropriately licensed by TfL. If you are found doing this you surely risk being licensed at all. Private Hire is totally different from Hackney Carriage. Private Hire journeys need to be pre-booked unlike Hackney Carriage journeys where Drivers can ply for hire and their journeys do not need to be pre-booked. A person can stand at the road side and thumb a lift from a Hackney Carriage Driver but not from a Private Hire Driver. All Private Hire journeys MUST be pre-booked.
Keep to the law and make an honest living. As a licensed driver you have the freedom and flexibility to work when you want and be your own boss. You’ll have a worthwhile career with the potential to earn a £50,000+ salary.
You can look forward to great bonuses during seasonal times e.g Christmas and New Year when the potential to earn and save increases.
PCO Licence Requirements?
If you want to get your PCO licence then you’ll need to fulfill a few requirements:
- You must be over 21 years of age.
- You will need to have held a full DVLA, Northern Ireland or European Economic Area(EEA) state driving licence for at least 3 years.
- You must meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standards similar to those required for drivers of large goods vehicles, buses and coaches. This is done by having a 30 minute medical with your NHS GP.
- You will need to undergo a DBS (Criminal Record) check to ensure that you are an honest and trustworthy person
- You must provide evidence of your Topographical Skills to show your map reading and route finding skills (we provide specific training and support for this)
- English Language Certificate (B1) – Evidence that you can speak, listen, read & write. There are exemptions to this rule. Please call 020 3780 1055 for further details.
PCO Licence cost
The total cost for a PCO Licence is £499.99.
- Topographical Test – (Please see Topographical Packages tab above)
- DBS Check £55 (admin £25)
- Medical Check (only required if you are NOT an existing Bus or HGV Driver) £60-£160 (With your own GP)
- Application processing and grant fee to TfL £310
- Administration charge to submit your application to TfL £60
With our Platinum Package the cost for the PCO Licence is fixed and the biggest benefit of all is we take care of “everything” so that you get licensed asap. Our expertise in this field is unrivalled.
SERU, Safety Equality & Regulatory Understanding
TfL have introduced a new requirement for all new drivers and existing drivers to demonstrate an understanding of safety equality and regulatory matters.
It is essential for all TfL drivers to have an understanding of safety equality and the regulatory requirements that apply to them. This ensures public safety and betters customer service.
There are 10 sections in the PHV Driver Handbook which you will be required to go through in order to be able to pass your SERU test. We advise you to read through this handbook throughly before your test.
The seru assessment is computer based and will be delivered by TfL at their offices. You can be contacted at anytime for this assessment.
We have created a SERU trial exam which has been populated with questions based on your handbook. This includes multiple choice and completing sentences by adding missing words.
You can practice as many times as you like for the price of £9.99 (per trial). You can also do the trial exam from your own home via our online platform. Click here to start a SERU Trial Test.
TOPOGRAPHICAL TRAINING CENTRE
(IG11 8BB), BARKING
(Free Parking)
London’s PCO Licence Centre
Bridge House (Rear entrance), 1st Floor, 150 London Road, Barking, IG11 8BB
Tel: 020 3780 1055
Closest Station
Barking Station (5-10 minute walking distance from our office)
District Line or Hammersmith & City Line
LONDON’S PCO LICENCE CENTRE (LPLC)
(IG11 8BB), BARKING
(Free Parking)
London’s PCO Licence Centre (LPLC) (HEAD OFFICE)
Bridge House (Rear entrance), 1st Floor, 150 London Road, Barking, IG11 8BB
Tel: 020 3780 1055
Closest Station
Barking Station (5-10 minute walking distance from our office)
District Line or Hammersmith & City Line