Your London PHV licence — the “PCO licence” — normally lasts three years. Then it must be renewed. PCO licence renewal is simpler than a first application, but the deadlines are strict. If your licence expires before TfL issues the new one, you cannot work — and that can mean weeks with no income.
This guide explains when to renew your PCO licence, which documents TfL asks for, what you must redo (and what you can skip), and what happens if your PCO licence has expired. Everything here follows TfL’s current 2026 rules.
We are PCO License Test Training Centre in Southall. We handle PCO renewals every week for drivers working with Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, Ola and Veezu — so nothing below is guesswork.
Is Your PCO Licence Due for Renewal?
We handle the whole renewal — medical, DBS status, documents and the TfL portal. One visit to our Southall office.
Call Now — Free Advice 07932 902 132 or landline: 020 4618 0167 · Mon–Sat 9am–5pmWhen can you renew your PCO licence?
TfL opens the renewal window four months before your expiry date. It stays open until 90 days after expiry. You renew online through your TfL Taxi & Private Hire portal account, and TfL sends you notifications when it is time.
Our advice is simple: start the moment the window opens. TfL says it reviews renewal applications within around 10 working days of receipt, and it prioritises licences expiring within six weeks. But the review is only one step. Your medical, your DBS status and your check codes all take their own time — and those parts are outside TfL’s control.
During the recent licensing backlog, TfL has also issued some renewing drivers short-term three-month licences where they meet its criteria, to keep them on the road. Helpful — but far better to renew early and receive a normal licence.
Documents you need for a PCO renewal
For most renewals, TfL asks for:
- A recent photo of yourself
- A DVLA share code (so TfL can check your driving licence)
- An HMRC tax check code — 9 characters, required since April 2022
- A signed declaration
- The fees — the same £138 application fee (non-refundable) and £205 grant fee as new applicants. See our full PCO licence cost breakdown.
What you must redo — and what you can skip
Good news: a renewal does not repeat the whole application. Here is how each requirement works second time round.
| Requirement | Needed at renewal? |
|---|---|
| TPH/204 medical | Every renewal from age 45; every year from age 65; usually not under 45 with a recent medical |
| Enhanced DBS check | No new check if you are on the DBS Update Service — TfL checks your status instead |
| SERU assessment | No — pass once and you stay compliant (only needed if you never passed) |
| English speaking & listening test | No — same rule: only if you never passed |
| Topographical assessment | No — previously licensed London PHV drivers are exempt |
The medical: age matters
From age 45, TfL requires a TPH/204 medical at every renewal. From age 65, a medical assessment is needed every year. The form must be completed by a registered medical practitioner — typically your GP, or a private doctor with access to your full medical records — with an in-person examination. It is not free on the NHS; you pay the doctor’s fee. Our GMC-endorsed doctor can complete your medical with same-day endorsement, so this step never holds up your renewal.
The DBS: keep your Update Service running
Since 26 February 2024, TfL will not renew a licence unless you are registered with the DBS Update Service (£16 per year). The upside is big: with an active subscription you do not repeat the enhanced DBS check at renewal — TfL simply runs a status check.
SERU, English and topographical: pass once, done
If you passed the SERU assessment and the English language requirement on your first application, you do not sit them again at renewal. TfL only requires them from drivers who have never passed — and it will not renew a licence until the driver is compliant. The topographical assessment is not required either, because previously licensed London PHV drivers are exempt. If you are in the small group that still needs SERU, our 1-to-1 training and 24/7 practice platform at seru.pcotesttrainingcentre.com will get you ready fast.
What if your PCO licence has expired?
There is a short safety net — but it is not a licence to drive.
- Up to 90 days after expiry: you can still submit a renewal through the portal. But once your licence has expired, you cannot work until the new licence is issued. Every day of delay is a day of lost income.
- More than 3 months after expiry: TfL treats you as a brand-new applicant. That means the assessments, the full checks and the long wait of a new PCO application all over again — often several months off the road.
This is why we tell every driver the same thing: renew early. Four months before expiry, the window is open. Use it.
Your vehicle is a separate renewal
Remember that your driver licence and your car are licensed separately. A TfL private hire vehicle (PHV) licence lasts one year, with an annual inspection. If you rent a ready-licensed hire car, the rental company usually deals with the vehicle side — but if you own your car, put its renewal date in your calendar too. A valid driver licence with an expired vehicle licence still keeps you off the road.
How we can help with your renewal
Most renewal problems come from one missed detail: a lapsed Update Service subscription, an expired tax check code, a medical booked too late. We remove that risk by handling the renewal end to end from our Southall office:
- We check your expiry date and plan the timeline backwards
- Same-day TPH/204 medical with our GMC-endorsed doctor
- DBS Update Service status check and registration help
- DVLA share code, HMRC tax check code and photo — prepared and submitted correctly
- SERU training if you have never passed, with 1-to-1 support and a 99% pass rate
We are rated 5.0 on Google, and flexible payment plans are available. See all our services or book a visit — or just call and we will tell you exactly what your renewal needs.
Renew Your PCO Licence Without Losing a Day’s Work
Same-day medical, DBS status check and your full TfL renewal handled in one visit to Southall.
Call 07932 902 132 Office F4, Unit 4, Triangle Centre, 399 Uxbridge Road, Southall UB1 3EJFrequently Asked Questions
How early can I renew my PCO licence?
You can renew from four months before your licence expires, through your online TfL Taxi and Private Hire account. TfL prioritises renewals that expire within six weeks, but we recommend starting as early as possible so the medical, DBS status check and tax check code do not push you past your expiry date.
Can I still drive if my PCO licence has expired?
No. If your licence expires before TfL issues the new one, you cannot work until the new licence is issued. You can still submit a renewal for up to 90 days after expiry, but you must stay off the road in the meantime. More than three months after expiry, you are treated as a brand-new applicant.
Do I need to take the SERU test again when I renew?
No. Once you have passed SERU you stay compliant at renewal, and the same applies to the English language speaking and listening test. You only need to take them if you have never passed. TfL will not renew a licence until the driver meets the SERU and English language requirements.