How to Get a PCO Licence in 7 Easy Steps
There is so much flexibility, earning potential, and job opportunity in pursuing a career as a private hire driver! Unlock all with a PCO licence from the Department of Transport for London (TfL)! It’s an essential document for Uber, Addison Lee, Ola drivers, or those driving pre-booked passenger cars. Valid for 3 years, it entrusts cab drivers with the legal right to operate minicabs in a city like London, where there is always a high demand for transportation services.
Given the plenty of benefits of attaining
it from a London PCO licence centre, you
must be interested in getting a PCO licence
for yourself. Let us walk you through the steps so that you can hit the road
and achieve financial independence.
A Guide to Starting Your Journey to
Becoming a Professional Private Hire Driver in London
If you are here, we assume you are
looking to get licenced as a private hire driver and work towards a career
where there is ample freedom. Let’s look at the steps to achieving it:
Step 1: Check for eligibility
A potential driver has to be at least 21
years of age, hold a UK driving licence for a minimum of 3 years, and possess
the legal right to live and work in the country. Having a taxi insurance policy
further strengthens your chances of becoming a private hire driver in London.
Step 2: Appear for an enhanced
criminal record check
You must also sit through a meticulous
background investigation to establish yourself as a trustworthy person. It’s
carried out for the safety of passengers, and the process includes filling in
personal details and providing fingerprints to cooperate with the inspection.
Step 3: Appear for a medical
examination
This step is crucial to getting a PCO licence. It involves fulfilling the
DVLA Group 2 medical standards to establish that you are fit and capable of
transporting your passengers safely to their destinations.
Step 4: Sit for two distinct
assessments
ü
An evaluation of speaking
and listening abilities
It tests a potential driver’s
communication skills and the ability to understand the requests of passengers,
road users, and other fellow drivers.
ü
An assessment to garner an
understanding of safety, regulation and equality
It tests an
applicant's knowledge of road safety and their adherence to regulations and
best practises.
Step 5: Provide evidence of your right
to employment and tax compliance
An applicant has to prove that he enjoys
the legal right to reside and operate in the UK. The individual has to submit
documents like a biometric residence permit and a passport, as well as a tax
code check, as evidence.
Step 6: Exhibit great geographical
skills
Driving through the streets of London
requires a firm knowledge of the city’s roads and directions. It also includes
the ability to navigate through the streets, study maps, and plan routes to
help passengers reach their destinations on time.
Step 7: Apply and wait patiently for
your PCO licence
Once all steps have been carried out, all
you will be left with is the PCO licence application submission. It’s a process
that takes around 3-4 months to finish.
Once you pass all the steps with flying
colours, you can start your career as a private hire driver. However, your PCO
licence will be valid only for 3 years, after which it will lapse. There is
nothing to worry about, as it can be renewed by updating personal and vehicle
information. You may also have to retake a medical examination and any other
relevant tests as deemed necessary for the renewal process.
Apply through PCO Licence East London
to Get Your Application Fast-Tracked!
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