Request ID: FOI-1146-2425 Date published: 01 August 2024
You asked
under the freedom of information act I would like to request the following.
The current level of staff within the TPH department allocated with issuing licences
How the number has changed from 12 and 24 months ago
The average weight time for licences to be issued once all documents have been received in 2024.
How this has compared to 2023 and 2022
How many licences have been issued for the first half of 2024 in comparison to the first half of 2023.
Please can you also provide me with an update to my application and an answer to my complaint and request for compensation for the delays.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1146-2425
Our Taxi and Private Hire team has passed over your email of 4th July 2024 for me to address the elements requesting recorded information. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your requests for recorded information are addressed in turn below:
Question 1: The current level of staff within the TPH department allocated with issuing licences?
Answer: Our multifunctional licensing team currently consists of 161 staff members who perform a range of tasks directly or indirectly involved with processing licensing applications.
Question 2: How the number has changed from 12 and 24 months ago?
Answer: 2. Twelve month ago this figure was 150, and 24 months ago it was 141.
Question 3: The average weight time for licences to be issued once all documents have been received in 2024?
And;
Question 4: How this has compared to 2023 and 2022?
Answer: I am afraid that it is not possible to source this data within the costs limit for responding to requests, as set out under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act. Under section 12, TfL is not required to provide information if it would cost more than £450 to determine whether the requested information is held, and to then locate, retrieve or extract it from elsewhere. This is calculated at a rate of £25 per hour, equivalent to 18 hours work.
In this instance the exemption applies because there is no quick or efficient way of sourcing this data. There is no automated way of calculating the average time to process applications. Rather, we would have to manually review each individual application to ascertain when it was submitted and when it was completed, and work out how long each such application took, and then calculate the average of all such applications combined. Given the numbers involved (we receive around 1,000 applications a week) it is not possible to achieve this within the costs limit.
Note that the licence application process is multi-staged and often iterative, which can involve requests for further information or clarity from applicants. There are also a number of elements in the licensing process that are outside of TfL’s control, such as the completion of an enhanced DBS check and submission of any required medical information. For these reasons the processing of applications may take longer than expected. Other factors may also extend the time required to process applications, including the following (again, many of which are outside of TfL’s control):
Applications being submitted but found to be incomplete or inaccurate
Checking that an applicant meets the mandatory requirements for licensing, such as the right to work in the U.K, and that they hold the relevant driving licence and driving experience
Consideration of the applicant’s medical fitness and whether they meet the DVLA’s Group 2 standard of medical fitness to drive. This may include a full review of the applicant’s medical history by our medical advisors
Ensuring that the applicant’s character meets the required standard, including a review of the results of an enhanced DBS check
The candidate successfully completing the required assessments of their topographical skills and safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) and completed of an English language speaking and listening test
Question 5: How many licences have been issued for the first half of 2024 in comparison to the first half of 2023?
Answer: From January to June 2023, inclusively, we issued 20,497 private hire driver licences. Within the same period this year we issued 14,356 licences. Please note that licensing requirements changed within this period including that new applicants for a London private hire driver’s licence have been required to take and pass the English Language Requirement and Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding Assessments in order to be licensed since 1 April 2023.
For any questions about the application process or further information about the status of your specific application you can contact our Taxi and Private Hire Team at [email protected]
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
