If you are applying for a private hire licence in London, the PCO medical is one step you cannot skip. TfL needs proof that you meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standards — the same higher standards used for lorry and bus drivers — and that proof is a form called the TPH/204 medical declaration.
Here is the catch. A doctor must examine you in person and sign the form, the NHS does not pay for it, and many GP surgeries take weeks to offer an appointment. For lots of applicants, the TPH204 medical is the step that quietly stalls the whole application.
This guide explains what the PCO medical test actually checks, who can complete the form, roughly what it costs, and how to get it done fast — including same-day medicals with a GMC-endorsed doctor at our centre in Southall.
Need Your PCO Medical This Week?
GMC-endorsed doctor at our Southall centre — same-day endorsement of your TPH/204, no GP waiting list. Call for the next available slot.
Call Now — Free Advice 07932 902 132 or landline: 020 4618 0167 · Mon–Sat 9am–5pmWhat Is the TPH/204 Medical?
The TPH/204 is TfL's medical declaration form — the current version is dated June 2026. You fill in your personal details and medical history, then a doctor completes the medical sections after examining you in person.
TfL says the medical sections should be completed by a registered medical practitioner who has access to your full medical records — typically your GP. A private GMC-registered doctor can also complete the form, and later in this guide we explain how to use that route without causing delays.
The form confirms that you meet DVLA Group 2 standards under the official guidance called Assessing Fitness to Drive. Group 2 is the stricter, professional-driver standard, because you will be carrying paying passengers every day.
What the Doctor Checks
The examination and the form cover the areas where a health problem could affect safe professional driving:
- Heart and circulation — cardiovascular disease and blood pressure
- Diabetes — especially treatment that can cause low blood sugar
- Neurological conditions — seizures, epilepsy and sleep disorders
- Vision — eyesight measured against the Group 2 standard
- Mental health — psychiatric conditions
- Alcohol and drugs — misuse and dependency
Having a condition on this list does not automatically mean you fail. The doctor assesses you against the Group 2 rules, and many managed conditions are fine. Be honest on the form — the declaration is checked against your medical history.
The Vision Standard
Your eyesight must reach at least 6/7.5 in your better eye and at least 6/60 in the other eye. Complete loss of vision in one eye is a bar to licensing. The vision section of the TPH/204 can be completed and stamped by your GP or by an optician.
Tip: Wear your glasses or contact lenses to the examination and bring your prescription if you have one. If your eyes have not been tested for a while, book an eye test first — an optician can complete the vision section for you.
GP or Private Doctor: Which Route Is Faster?
The medical is not free on the NHS. Whoever examines you sets their own fee — and TfL's own worked example of licensing costs (£531) does not include the medical, so it sits on top of everything else. You can see the full picture in our PCO licence cost breakdown.
Most applicants choose between two routes:
| Your GP surgery | Private GMC-registered doctor | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment wait | Often weeks — many surgeries treat it as low-priority private work | Usually days, and same-day slots are often available |
| Fee | Set by the surgery — varies widely, check before you book | Agreed up front before you book |
| Medical records | Full access — nothing extra to bring | Bring your records or a GP summary to the appointment |
| Form signed same day | Sometimes — depends on the surgery | Yes, normally endorsed on the spot |
One important point on the private route: TfL warns that if the form is not completed by someone with access to your full medical records, this could lead to delays. The fix is simple — bring a copy of your medical records or a GP summary with you, so the private doctor can review your history properly before signing.
Don't let the medical stall your application. TfL itself lists GP availability for medicals among the delays outside its control. Booking a private GMC-registered doctor early keeps this step off your critical path.
What to Bring to Your PCO Medical
- Photo ID — passport or driving licence
- Your TPH/204 form (we can print the current June 2026 version for you)
- Glasses or contact lenses, plus your prescription if you have one
- A list of your current medications and doses
- A copy of your medical records or a GP summary — many people can download this from the NHS App or request a printout from their surgery
- Details of any specialists or clinics you attend
Who Is Exempt from the TPH/204?
A small group of applicants do not need the medical because TfL already accepts equivalent evidence:
- Holders of a valid DVLA Group 2 driving licence (lorry or bus)
- Current London taxi drivers applying for a private hire licence — or the other way round
- Holders of a valid JAA pilot's licence
Everyone else applying for a private hire licence needs the private hire medical. If you are just starting out, our guide on how to apply for a PCO licence in London shows where the medical fits in the full TfL process.
When Will You Need a Medical Again?
A London PHV driver's licence normally lasts three years. What happens at renewal depends on your age:
- Under 45 — with a recent medical on file, TfL generally does not re-examine you
- From age 45 — a TPH/204 medical is required at every renewal
- From age 65 — a medical assessment every year
Planning ahead matters, because you cannot work if your licence expires before the renewal is decided. Our PCO licence renewal guide covers the timeline and documents in detail.
How We Can Help
Searching for a PCO medical near me in west London? We arrange TPH/204 medicals with a GMC-endorsed doctor at our centre in Southall, with same-day endorsement of your form. One visit, form signed, and you move straight on to the next stage of your application.
We can also handle the rest: enhanced DBS, SERU training with our 24/7 practice platform, topographical training and full TfL application support — with 1-to-1 personalised help, a 99% pass rate, a 5.0 Google rating and flexible payment plans. Book your visit or call us and we will find you the earliest slot.
Book a Same-Day TPH/204 Medical in Southall
One visit, form signed and endorsed by a GMC-endorsed doctor. We can also sort your DBS, SERU training and full TfL application.
Call 07932 902 132 Office F4, Unit 4, Triangle Centre, 399 Uxbridge Road, Southall UB1 3EJFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a PCO medical cost?
The TPH/204 medical is not free on the NHS. The examining doctor sets the fee, so prices vary. GP surgeries decide their own charges and often have long waits, while private GMC-registered doctors are usually quicker, with the fee agreed up front. Call PCO License Test Training Centre in Southall on 07932 902 132 for our current price and the next same-day appointment.
Can any doctor complete the TPH204 form?
TfL asks for a registered medical practitioner who has access to your full medical records, typically your GP. A private GMC-registered doctor can complete the form, but TfL warns that if the doctor cannot see your full medical history it could lead to delays. Bringing a copy of your medical records or a GP summary to a private appointment solves this.
Do I need a PCO medical every time I renew my licence?
Not always. If you are under 45 and have a recent medical on file, TfL generally does not re-examine you at renewal. From age 45 you need a TPH/204 medical at every renewal, and from age 65 you need a medical assessment every year.