If you want to drive for Uber, Bolt or any minicab firm in London, you must first apply for a PCO licence from Transport for London (TfL). Its official name is the private hire driver licence, but everyone calls it the PCO licence. Getting one is not hard — but the process has many steps, and one small mistake can cost you months.
This guide walks you through the whole PCO licence application for 2026: the requirements, the TfL online application, the medical, the DBS check, the three assessments, and what happens after you apply. We also show you the common delays and how to avoid them.
We are a PCO training centre in Southall, West London. We help drivers through this process every day, so everything below comes from real experience — not guesswork.
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Call Now — Free Advice 07932 902 132 or landline: 020 4618 0167 · Mon–Sat 9am–5pmStep 1: Check You Meet the Requirements
Before you spend any money, make sure you qualify. TfL's rules for a PCO driver licence are:
- You are at least 21 years old at the time of applying.
- You hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland or other EEA driving licence that is at least 3 years old.
- You have the right to live and work in the UK. TfL checks this, and you will need a DVLA share code and an HMRC tax check code.
- You are “fit and proper” — this is checked through an enhanced DBS criminal record check.
- You meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standards, proven with a TPH/204 medical form.
If you tick all five boxes, you can move on to the application itself.
Step 2: Start Your TfL Online Application
You apply for a PCO licence online through TfL. Create your account, fill in the application and pay the £138 application fee. This fee is non-refundable, so it pays to get everything right first time.
Have these ready before you start:
- Your driving licence details and a DVLA share code.
- An HMRC tax check code — it is 9 characters long and only valid for 120 days.
- A recent digital photo and proof of your right to work in the UK.
TfL aims to give every new application an initial review within 10 working days. After that review, you can book your assessments and send in your medical and DBS.
Step 3: Book Your TPH/204 Medical
Every new applicant needs a medical on TfL's TPH/204 form. It must be completed by a registered medical practitioner who has access to your full medical records — typically your GP — and it includes an in-person physical examination.
The doctor checks you against DVLA Group 2 standards: heart health, diabetes, epilepsy and other neurological conditions, sleep disorders, mental health, alcohol or drug problems, and your eyesight. The medical is not free on the NHS — you pay the doctor's fee, and each doctor sets their own price.
A private GMC-registered doctor can complete the form, but TfL warns that a doctor without access to your full records could cause delays. Our centre arranges the medical with a GMC-endorsed doctor and same-day endorsement. Read our full PCO medical (TPH204) guide for details.
Step 4: Complete the Enhanced DBS Check
TfL requires an enhanced DBS check, which shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions and relevant local police information. You must apply through TfL's authorised service provider — not through any other DBS route. TfL quotes £52 for the online application.
You must also register with the DBS Update Service, which costs £16 per year. Since 26 February 2024, TfL will not grant or renew a PCO licence unless you are registered. The good news: once registered, you will not need a fresh DBS at renewal.
Enhanced checks usually take around 14 days, but they can take much longer if your case sits with a police force. TfL lists DBS processing as one of the stages outside its control, so start this step early.
Step 5: Pass the Three TfL Assessments
Since 1 April 2023, all new applicants must pass their assessments before TfL will issue the licence. Book them as soon as TfL invites you — this is where most people lose time. There are three:
SERU assessment
The Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment is computer-based and taken at a TfL Driver Assessment Centre. It is based entirely on the PHV Driver's Handbook, and it is now open-book — you can refer to the handbook during the test. It covers six areas, including safeguarding, passenger safety and your regulatory obligations. The fee is £40, with a £30 resit. TfL also strongly recommends its free online Safeguarding Awareness course before you sit it. Our 1-to-1 SERU training and 24/7 practice platform at seru.pcotesttrainingcentre.com are built to get you through first time.
English language (speaking and listening)
TfL requires English at B1 level. The speaking and listening part is a 15–20 minute conversation over a secure video or telephone link at a TfL assessment centre (£40, resit £30). The reading and writing part is covered by the SERU assessment itself.
Topographical assessment
Despite rumours online, the topographical assessment is still mandatory in 2026. It is computer-based at TfL's driver assessment centre at Pier Walk, North Greenwich, and tests route planning, map reading and finding destinations. Fee: £40, resit £30.
What Does It All Cost?
| Item | 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| TfL application fee | £138 (non-refundable) |
| Licence grant fee | £205 |
| Three assessments | £40 each (£30 per resit) |
| Enhanced DBS check | £52 online |
| DBS Update Service | £16 per year |
| TPH/204 medical | Set by the examining doctor |
TfL's own worked example adds up to £531 before the medical. Fees can change, so check TfL's current fees when you apply. For a full breakdown with training costs, see our PCO licence cost guide.
What Happens After You Apply
The order of the process is: initial review, then your assessments, then TfL's full evaluation — medical fitness, driving history, enhanced DBS and right to work — and finally the decision. If approved, you pay the £205 grant fee and your PCO licence in London normally lasts for three years.
TfL publishes no fixed end-to-end time, and in 2026 it is still clearing a backlog of new applications. Realistically, allow several months from application to licence in hand. Once licensed, many of our drivers go straight to Uber, Bolt, FreeNow or Ola — see our guide on becoming an Uber driver in London.
Avoid the classic delays. The biggest hold-ups are GP appointments for the medical, slow DBS processing, and DVLA share codes or HMRC tax check codes expiring before TfL reviews your file (tax codes last only 120 days). Book the medical early with a doctor who has your full records, and only request your codes when you are ready to submit.
How We Can Help
You can do all of this alone — or you can let us do the heavy lifting. At PCO License Test Training Centre in Southall, we manage the complete PCO licence application: TfL forms, same-day TPH/204 medical with a GMC-endorsed doctor, enhanced DBS, plus 1-to-1 SERU, English and topographical training. We hold a 99% pass rate and a 5.0 rating on Google, with flexible payment plans.
Browse our services or book a visit — or simply call and we will tell you exactly what your next step is.
Want Us to Handle Your Whole PCO Application?
Forms, medical, DBS, SERU training — 99% pass rate, 1-to-1 support and flexible payment plans in Southall.
Call 07932 902 132 Office F4, Unit 4, Triangle Centre, 399 Uxbridge Road, Southall UB1 3EJFrequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a PCO licence in London?
TfL does not publish a fixed total time. It aims to review new applications within 10 working days, but the medical, the enhanced DBS check and assessment bookings each add time. A realistic estimate for a clean new application in 2026 is several months, so apply with every document correct first time to avoid extra delays.
How much does it cost to apply for a PCO licence in 2026?
TfL charges a £138 application fee and a £205 licence grant fee. You also pay £40 for each of the three assessments, £52 for the enhanced DBS check online, £16 a year for the DBS Update Service, and your doctor's fee for the TPH/204 medical. TfL's own worked example comes to £531 before the medical. Always check TfL's current fees when you apply.
Do I need to pass a test to get a PCO licence?
Yes. New applicants must pass three TfL assessments before they can be licensed: the SERU assessment, the English language speaking and listening test, and the topographical assessment. Each costs £40 for the first attempt and £30 to resit. Our Southall centre offers 1-to-1 training and a 24/7 SERU practice platform to help you pass first time.