Do You Need a PCO Licence to Drive for Addison Lee?

A PCO licence is the credential issued by TfL that allows you to legally carry passengers for hire as a private hire driver in London.

PCO stands for Public Carriage Office, the division of TfL responsible for licensing all private hire drivers and vehicles in the capital.

Without it, you cannot legally drive for any private hire operator in London, including Addison Lee. With it, you’re fully licensed and ready to get on the road.

The licence lasts for three years and needs to be renewed before it expires. Most drivers who want to become a taxi driver in London take the private hire route via the PCO licence rather than the black cab route, which requires passing the Knowledge of London, a qualification that typically takes two to three years.

The process involves several steps, each with its own document or assessment requirement. Here’s an overview:

SERU assessment. The Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment is a TfL-required half-day course covering city driving safety and passenger care. It costs around £180 and must be completed before you submit your application to TfL.

Medical examination. You’ll need to pass a medical to DVLA Group 2 standard, covering vision and general health. This costs between £70 and £120 and is carried out by a DVLA-approved doctor.

Enhanced DBS check. A criminal record check is required for all applicants. It costs around £38 plus a small processing fee and typically takes two to four weeks. This is the longest single step, so it’s worth starting it first.

TfL application. Once your documents are ready, you submit your application online and pay the £108 licence fee. TfL processes your application and issues your licence on approval.

In total, becoming a private hire driver in London costs around £400 to £450 in licensing fees. Most applicants receive their licence within eight to sixteen weeks of starting the process.

To drive for Addison Lee you’ll also need a TfL-approved vehicle. If you don’t own one, that’s not a barrier. Addison Lee offers vehicle hire, with the first eight weeks rental completely free for new drivers (subject to drivers meeting the required job targets). After that, rental credits are available to offset costs, and Addison Lee’s maintenance package covers insurance, repairs and servicing so you’re not carrying those costs yourself.

There’s also no congestion charge or ULEZ charge to worry about. Addison Lee covers both.