Request ID: FOI-2430-2122 Date published: 18 February 2022
You asked
Hello,
I would like to know the current timeframe for PCO licence applications. There seems to be a massive backlog and TFL are refusing to reveal the processing times. This is unacceptable and I demand this information to be disclosed. I applied at the beginning of August 2021 and it's been almost 6 months with no result.
This is causing me thousands of pounds of loss to my personal income.
Please share how long it takes to process a PCO application and which month is currently being processed.
Many thanks.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2430-2122/GH
Thank you for your email received on 25 January asking for information regarding private hire driver licensing.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. You asked:
I would like to know the current timeframe for PCO licence applications. There seems to be a massive backlog and TFL are refusing to reveal the processing times. This is unacceptable and I demand this information to be disclosed. I applied at the beginning of August 2021 and it's been almost 6 months with no result.
This is causing me thousands of pounds of loss to my personal income.
Please share how long it takes to process a PCO application and which month is currently being processed.
Once a private hire driver application is received an initial assessment takes place to ensure that all of the required documents have been provided in support of an application 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 and 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, the availability of assessments (which was impacted by nationwide COVID lockdowns) and the applicants ability to meet the required standard, or whether any retest of an assessment is required.
Given the number of applicants that apply and that each one may differ depending on their own individual circumstances, and the fact that each application is therefore considered on a case-by-case basis, there is no specific timeframe for processing an application.
The licence application process is complex, 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 a 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 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 a DBS check
The candidate successfully completing the required assessments of their topographical skills and safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU)
As of 23 January 2022, we had 710 new private hire driver applications awaiting assessment with a waiting time of 10 working days, and 688 renewal applications with an assessment waiting time of 4 working days.
