Freedom of Information request - Unjustified delay in issuing a Private Hire driver's license
Request ID: FOI-2265-2223 Date published: 05 January 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London Private Hire license,
My names is XXX and I am a constituent of Leyton. I am writing to you today because I am concerned about TFL. I made an application to become a Private Hire licenced driver included all the required documents and payed fees put in a application for 18 August 2022. Also having passed my topographical test on 22nd November 2022 my application is stuck on pending status. Having sent multiple emails about the progress of the application unfortunately I have not received a single response also phone lines cuts off As you may know TFL is charging a huge amount for the licencing application and I have followed all instruction to date and having spent £700 I am very keen to start work. Please can you confirm how long will it take to progress my application or even better fully resolved.
Therefore under the freedom of Information Act, I would like to know the following information:
1. What is the average time for a license to be issued to an applicant who has provided on time all the necessary elements and fees without any gaps, missing documents or delays and passed the topograhical test?
2- when is my license going to be issued after I have met all the criteria requested.
In your response I would like you to outline the ways you intend to address this on my behalf. If you’re unable to address this personally, I would like to request that you escalate my letter to the relevant Minister or department.
Please do keep me informed of any progress made.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2265-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7 December 2022 asking for information about Private Hire Licenses.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. You asked:
1. What is the average time for a license to be issued to an applicant who has provided on time all the necessary elements and fees without any gaps, missing documents or delays and passed the topograhical test?
2- when is my license going to be issued after I have met all the criteria requested.
Unfortunately we do not hold the information you require. Once we receive a private hire driver application an initial assessment takes place to ensure the required documents have been provided and that the mandatory requirements for licensing are met. This stage also includes ensuring an enhanced DBS check has been undertaken by the applicant, which is undertaken by a third party and is outside of the applicant’s or TfL’s control. At this stage there may also be a process of requesting and receiving any missing materials until the application is deemed to be fully complete. An applicant is then invited to apply for a topographical skills assessment and a safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) assessment (for applications submitted from 1 October 2021). The time taken to complete the assessments depends on a number of factors, including how quickly an applicant books an assessment and the applicants’ ability to meet the required standard, or whether any retest of an assessment is required. 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. Therefore, there is no target for when licensing decisions are taken and this depends on individual applications. In each case we need to ensure that an applicant is ‘fit and proper’ to ensure the continued safety of the travelling public. For example, the time required to process an application may increase as a consequence of:
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 UK, 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 topographical skills and safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) assessments
I apologise that this process is taking longer than you anticipated and that you did not receive a more comprehensive response following your contact with us. Information relating to your application is personal information, and therefore not covered by the Freedom of Information Act, however, I understand that your application is currently being assessed by our licensing team.
If you are not satisfied with this response, please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
