Making Your PCO Application Online? Here Are Some Things to Consider Before You Do

Transport for London (TfL) encourages individuals who want to apply for a PCO vehicle licence online through their website. Online applications are a big part of TfL’s ongoing processes to modernise their private hire licencing services. It is meant to make things more convenient and, of course, faster for applicants when they make their PCO application online rather than visiting the office in person. Online PCO renewals are also welcome.

 

Before you apply, however, you need to make certain arrangements and preparations. There will be a series of “mandatory tests” and the English Language Requirement (ELR), which has now been upgraded to the Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) Assessment. Moreover, anyone looking to apply for a PCO licence for Uber, Bolt, or any transport service dealing with private hire vehicles would need their vehicles and fleet to meet the congestion charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEX) standards.

 

This blog explains all these criteria and the best practices to prepare for the best before you apply for a PCO vehicle licence online.

How Modernisation Influenced London’s Taxi and Private Hire Services

 

With the new series of modernisation projects in the private hire industry, TfL can create better experiences and quality of work for drivers. Below are some of the deliberate advantages of the modernisation of the private hire industry.

 

●     Lower PCO Licence Costs: There are slight cost savings for PCO licence applicants, such as the online DBS assessments, which cost about £2 less than on paper. You can also consider that it is saving you transport costs and many other expenses that you would not have if you didn’t have to physically go to the TfL office.

 

●     Guaranteed Fare Quotes:  Customers will know their fare beforehand and normalise guaranteed fare quotes, which will reduce the chance of conflicts and disagreements, and improve customer satisfaction.

 

●     Improved Licencing and Safety Standards: TfL is focused on preparing private hire drivers in London to be more reliable, especially in critical or adverse situations. The SETU assessment is the new norm, along with the ELR.

Getting Started to Apply for PCO Vehicle Licence in London

 

TfL follows pre-specified parameters for processing each PCO application online. The systems are slightly different for new applicants from those for renewals; below is a clear definition of the parameters:

 

●     PCO application for new drivers:  New applications are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis,

 

●     PCO application for existing drivers: TfL will process the renewal applications, prioritising expiry dates to save them from cancellations.

 

Remember that you can use the online process only to apply for a PCO vehicle licence. You need to be physically present for medical and topographical tests. Below is the step-by-step process to make your PCO application online:

 

 

➔     Navigate the Private Hire Driving as a Career: Before you apply for a private hire driver's licence, you need to understand how it will work as a career option for you. Below are some of the considerations:

◆     The income, working conditions, and cost of being a private hire driver in London.

◆     Prepare to go through the training and assessments of the topographical test, the medical test, and the new SETU assessments for English language skills.

◆     Consent to all the regulatory and HMRC tax obligations, which is why you need to understand exactly what you are signing up for.

 

➔     Pre-Arrange Documents: Before you apply for a PCO licence for Uber, Bolt, or other private hire vehicle services, you must have all the documents stated by the TfL for specified individuals:

◆     Error-free entries in the application

◆     Identify documents - including current photographs, email, residency permits/visa or documents of proof of right to work in the UK.

◆     Existing driving licence. Moreover, regulatory standards are upgraded for foreign nationals looking to exchange their country’s licence with a UK/EU/EEA recognised PCO driving licence in London. So comply with that.

◆     A Certificate of Good Conduct (CoGC) for those who lived outside of the UK for a continuous period of over 3 months in the past 10 years. 

◆     Authorised documents confirming whether the vehicle you are using for your private hire service is subject to the Congestion Charge and meets the Ultra Low Emission Zone standards.

 

➔     Create an Online Account: Go to TfL’s website to create your online account and access the application form. Other than the TfL site, you can also opt for a PCO-approved assessment centre in London.

 

➔     Fill out the application Form: Watch out for spelling errors and typos while filling out the form to apply for a PCO vehicle licence online. This can complicate your licencing.

 

➔     Upload Supporting Documents: You have to scan and upload your documents during the PCO application online and use clear images and full shots of each document.

 

➔     Pay PCO Licence Application Fee: The current PCO licence application cost is £124, which you have to pay while submitting your application form. TfL offers a host of secure payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and over-the-phone payments.

Explore and Compare the Benefits of Fast-Track PCO Licencing Services 

Once you submit your PCO application online, you need to give it some time for the TfL officials to review it and get back to you. You may have to appear for an interview before your licencing procedure starts. Meanwhile, it is safe to consult a PCO-approved assessment centre beforehand to tackle any complications with expert support.