How Much Does a PCO Licence Cost in 2026? Full Breakdown

If you are thinking about driving for Uber, Bolt or FreeNow in London, your first question is probably about money. So how much is a PCO licence? The short answer: the full PCO licence cost in 2026 comes to around £531 in TfL's own worked example — and that figure does not include your medical.

The real total depends on your doctor's fee, how quickly you pass the assessments, and whether anything goes wrong along the way. In this guide we break down every PCO licence fee item by item, show you where the hidden costs are, and share practical ways to keep the price down.

PCO Licence Fees at a Glance (2026)

Here is every fee you are likely to pay on the way to a London private hire driver's licence. TfL sets most of them. The medical is the one price that varies from doctor to doctor.

Add the TfL items together and you get the £531 worked example TfL publishes on its apply page — excluding the medical. Fees can change, so always check TfL's current fee list before you pay anything.

The Two Main TfL Fees

You pay the £138 application fee when you submit your application to TfL. Later, when TfL approves you, there is a £205 licence grant fee. Your PHV driver's licence then normally lasts three years.

The same £138 plus £205 structure applies when you renew, so it helps to plan ahead. Our PCO licence renewal guide covers the renewal timeline and documents in detail.

Medical, DBS and the Update Service

The TPH/204 medical

Every new applicant needs a TPH/204 medical to DVLA Group 2 standards. It is not free on the NHS — you pay the doctor's fee, and each doctor sets their own price. TfL says the form should be completed by a doctor with access to your full medical records, typically your GP.

A private GMC-registered doctor can complete it too, but if they cannot see your full records, TfL warns this could lead to delays. Read our full PCO medical guide before you book anything.

Enhanced DBS check

The enhanced DBS check costs £52 online or £54 on paper. TfL only accepts checks made through its authorised service provider, so do not pay for a DBS check anywhere else — it will not count.

You must also register with the DBS Update Service at £16 per year. Since 26 February 2024, TfL will not grant or renew a licence without it. The upside: at renewal, TfL simply checks your Update Service status instead of making you pay for a fresh DBS check.

Assessment Fees: SERU, English and Topographical

TfL requires three assessments before you can be licensed. Each costs £40 for the first attempt and £30 for a resit:

• SERU assessment — computer-based, taken at TfL's Driver Assessment Centre. It is based entirely on the PHV Driver's Handbook, and it is now open-book, so you can refer to the handbook during the test.
• English speaking and listening test — a 15–20 minute conversation over a secure video or phone link. The reading and writing part of the English requirement is covered by SERU itself.
• Topographical assessment — still required by TfL in 2026, despite rumours it was scrapped. It tests map reading and route planning, and is currently taken at TfL's assessment centre at Pier Walk. Only previously licensed London PHV or taxi drivers (and Blue Badge tourist guides) are exempt.

Anyone who applied on or after 1 April 2023 must pass all of these before TfL will issue the licence. Our step-by-step guide to applying for a PCO licence in London shows where each assessment fits in the process.

The Real Cost of Delays and Failed Attempts

Every failed assessment costs £30 to resit — plus the wait for a new booking. For SERU, TfL normally allows one resit, so it is not a test to take lightly.

TfL publishes no fixed end-to-end time for new applications, and in 2026 a clean application realistically takes several months. Expired paperwork makes it worse: your HMRC tax check code is only valid for 120 days, and if it or your DVLA share code expires mid-application, you have to resubmit.

The biggest cost of all is not a fee. It is the months you cannot drive or earn while you wait. Passing everything first time is worth far more than any saving on the fees themselves.

How to Keep Your PCO Licence Price Down

• Apply for your DBS check online (£52) rather than on paper (£54).
• Use your own GP for the medical where possible — full medical records mean fewer delays. An optician can complete the vision section.
• Take TfL's free online Safeguarding Awareness course before SERU — TfL strongly recommends it.
• Prepare properly and pass each assessment first time. A resit costs £30 and weeks of waiting.
• Keep your DVLA share code and HMRC tax check code fresh so nothing expires mid-application.
• Spread the cost — ask us about flexible payment plans instead of paying everything at once.

How We Can Help

At our Southall centre, everything is under one roof: full application support, a GMC-endorsed doctor for your TPH/204 medical with same-day endorsement, enhanced DBS help, and 1-to-1 SERU and topographical training. Drivers we train go on to work with Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, Ola and Veezu.

With a 99% pass rate and a 5.0 rating on Google, we help you avoid the expensive mistakes — failed tests, rejected forms and lost months. You also get 24/7 access to our SERU practice platform on web, Android and iOS. Explore our services, or call us and we will map out your costs and a payment plan in one conversation.

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