Uber London Limited licensing decision

24 September 2019

Transport for London (TfL) has today (Tuesday 24 September) announced its decision to issue Uber London Limited (ULL) with a two-month private hire operator licence ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing application.

The new two-month licence will have the same conditions that ULL has been subject to over the last 15 months, along with new conditions to ensure passenger safety. TfL's original decision not to license ULL has led to the app-based firm improving its culture and governance. TfL is requesting additional material from ULL and this additional information will help inform any future licensing decision.

A TfL spokesperson said:

'Uber London Limited has been granted a two-month private hire operator licence to allow for scrutiny of additional information that we are requesting ahead of consideration of any potential further licensing application.'

 Notes to Editors:

  • Last year ULL received a 15-month private hire operator's licence from the Chief Magistrate with conditions when it appealed TfL's decision not to grant a new licence. The court-ordered licence expires on Wednesday 25 September at 23:59.
  • In the course of the two-month licence period, TfL will be requesting additional information from ULL to help inform any future licensing decision.
  • The Chief Magistrate granted Uber a 15-month licence but ordered a number of extra conditions to be attached to its licence, including:

            A requirement for Uber to produce an independently verified assurance report every six months
            A requirement for the addition of three non-executive directors to its board
            A requirement for notice of at least 28 days for changes to ULL's operating model
            A requirement to maintain arrangements with the Metropolitan Police for the reporting of passenger complaints that may be criminal.

  • The new two-month licence will have the same conditions that ULL has been subject to over the last 15 months, along with new conditions to ensure passenger safety, these new conditions cover ride sharing, appropriate insurance and driver document checks by Uber.