FOI request detail

Drink driving

Request ID: FOI-0307-2122
Date published: 02 June 2021

You asked

Hi there I need to know if you’ve been drink driver in past. Can we apply for tfl taxi licences ? Thank you

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-0307-2122

Thank you for your request of 9th May 2021 asking for information about taxi driver licensing.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. 

Specifically you asked:

I need to know if you’ve been drink driver in past. Can we apply for tfl taxi licences?”.

Having a drink driving conviction does not necessarily prevent somebody from being granted a taxi licence. Rather, such decisions are made on a case by case basis according to the specific circumstances of the case. For more information I would refer you to the following section of our website which explains more about the driver application process:

https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/private-hire-driver-licence#on-this-page-1

As you can see, this includes the following information about convictions:

If you have any of the following convictions, it's unlikely that your application will be successful. Before submitting an application, please consider:

•           Any conviction for a major violent offence (murder, manslaughter etc)
•           Whether you have more than one conviction of any type of violent offence in the last 10 years
•           If you are still serving a custodial sentence, even if you have been released early on licence or the sentence was suspended
•           If you have been convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for a serious sexual offence (rape, indecent assault, trafficking, possession of indecent images etc)
•           Whether you have been convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for more than one sexual offence of any type, irrespective of age
•           Whether you are listed on either the Children's or Adults' barred list
•           If you have been convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for touting in the last 12 months or have more than one penalty for touting in the last five years

This is not an exhaustive list - as stated above, licensing decisions are made on a case by case basis.

If this is not the information you are looking for do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

 

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