Request ID: FOI-2916-2122 Date published: 19 April 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Ref: XXXX
Expired License No:- XXXX
Hello,
I have made an renewal application to become a Private Hire licensed driver on 16 January 2022 . As you may know that I have been issued a private hire driver by TFL in 2019 and I have been a private hire driver until my private hire driver license expired on 20th March 2022. During my licensed period I was driving all over London without any major problems,
I have requested several times by email to TFL about the reason of why there is delayed issuing me new license as it should be fast and simple process for renewal applications. But TFL has failed to give me proper answer of my questions.
Therefore under the freedom of Information Act, I would like to know the following information please,
1. What internal data is held by tfl and comments of management team for assessing my renewal application.
2. How many PCO driver are there same nature like mine.
3. How many drivers got delayed their renewal applications.
4. What is exact time frame for renewal applications.
I believe I have correctly and satisfactorily to reach the required standard to be licensed as a London Private Hire Driver Therefore I should without further delay be issued with my London Private Hire Driver License.
Thanks a lot for your attention.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2916-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 March 2022 asking for information about Private Hire licence applications.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require. You asked:
1. What internal data is held by tfl and comments of management team for assessing my renewal application.
2. How many PCO driver are there same nature like mine.
3. How many drivers got delayed their renewal applications.
4. What is exact time frame for renewal applications.
Your first query is a request for personal data that we hold with regards to your application and does not constitute a Freedom of Information Act request. I have referred your query to the team that deals with requests of this nature (Subject Access Requests) who will be in contact.
For further information regarding your personal information held by Transport for London in connection with taxi and private hire licensing, and guidance on how to make a request for this information, please see the following page on our website: www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/privacy-and-cookies/access-your-data#on-this-page-1.
With regard to your further questions, once a private hire driver application is received an initial assessment takes place to ensure that all the required documents have been provided in support of an application and that the mandatory requirements for licensing are met. At this stage we will also ensure that an enhanced DBS check has been undertaken by the applicant. DBS checks are undertaken by a third party and are 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 Assessment and a Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment (for applications submitted on or after 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 applicant’s ability to meet the required standard, or whether any retest of an assessment is required.
Given that applications vary greatly depending on an applicants’ individual circumstances and that each is therefore considered on a case-by-case basis, there is no specific timeframe for processing an application and we are unable to directly compare your application to the others we receive.
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 timescale for when licensing decisions are taken and this depends on the circumstances of each individual application. 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)
