Request ID: FOI-2431-2122 Date published: 21 February 2022
You asked
I have made an application to the TfL for a new private hire application and the initial assessment completed in November 2021, DBS received in December. To date I requested a rescheduled assessment date originally planned for 11 January 2022 in December but no new date has been received.
Can you confirm as of 25 January 2022 what is the current backlog of new Private Hire driver applications.
What is the average processing time at each stage of the new driver application process.
What is the average time before a booking made for an topographical assessment and the time for the outcome to be confirmed.
What is the time for the assessment result of a pass before the full license is granted.
What date is the longest standing application received for a new driver
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2431-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 January 2022 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.
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.
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.
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). However, we have ensured transitional arrangements are in place to prevent unnecessary delays to applications.
Applicants who applied for a private hire driver’s licence prior to 1 October 2021 may be required to complete a SERU assessment if they did not satisfy TfL of their English language skills. We are working with applicants to ensure they meet our required standard and to prevent delays to their applications.
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 application 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)
