Becoming a licensed private hire driver in London is one of the most heavily regulated routes into self-employment in the UK. Transport for London (TfL) is the licensing authority, and every applicant has to clear several independent checks before they can take their first booking. This guide walks through the full process for 2026, in plain UK English, with realistic timings and links to the practice papers you'll need along the way. UK Test Hub is independent and is not affiliated with TfL.
Who can apply for a TfL PHV driver licence?
You must usually be at least 21, hold a full DVLA, EU/EEA or qualifying overseas driving licence that has been valid for at least three years, and have the right to work and live in the UK. TfL also expects you to be a 'fit and proper person' — judged through your DBS, medical and licensing history.
The eight steps to your licence
- Apply online through the TfL Taxi and Private Hire portal and pay the application fee.
- Right to work check — provide a share code or original documents.
- Enhanced DBS via TfL's nominated provider. This is more thorough than a standard check.
- DVLA Group 2 medical with your GP or an approved provider.
- English language evidence at CEFR B1 — usually a Secure English Language Test (SELT) or qualifying UK qualification.
- Topographical Skills Assessment at a TfL-approved test centre.
- SERU assessment — Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding.
- Receive your badge and begin work through a licensed operator.
Realistic timeline
From application to badge, most candidates take 12–20 weeks. The DBS and medical can usually be completed in parallel within a month. The SELT, Topographical and SERU each have their own waiting lists, and resits push the timeline out further. Build in buffer time and don't book your operator induction until your badge is in hand.
Costs to budget for
- TfL application fee (paid in two parts — application and grant).
- Enhanced DBS fee.
- Medical assessment (varies by GP).
- SELT B1 fee — typically £150–£200.
- Topographical Skills Assessment fee.
- SERU fee per attempt — practise hard to avoid resits.
Many candidates underestimate the SERU. Use our SERU practice mocks until you're scoring 90% or better before booking the official assessment.
HMRC tax check — required at every renewal
Since April 2022 you must complete an HMRC tax check before TfL will renew your licence. You'll receive a 9-character code valid for 120 days. Read more in our how to become a private hire driver guide or jump straight to HMRC tax check practice questions.
What happens after you're licensed
Your standard PHV driver licence usually lasts three years. You must work through a TfL-licensed operator — every booking has to be recorded and assigned by them. Your TfL badge must be visibly worn or displayed in the vehicle while working. Notify TfL of any change of address, endorsement on your DVLA licence, criminal matter, or change in your right to work status.
Common reasons applications are refused or delayed
Late or incomplete documentation tops the list. Other frequent issues: failing the medical because of uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes, an English certificate that isn't on TfL's accepted list, and serious endorsements on your DVLA driving licence. Address each issue before re-applying — TfL will not waive its standards.
Where to practise
Visit the Taxi & Private Hire practice hub for free mocks on every part of the licensing journey, from SERU and Topographical to safeguarding and ULEZ. Related reading: our full SERU assessment guide.
Disclaimer: UK Test Hub is independent and not affiliated with Transport for London. Always confirm fees, formats and rules on tfl.gov.uk.
Free practice
Start SERU TfL Mock Test 1
Free, instantly marked, with full written explanations.
Start mock test 1Quick study plan
If you only have a fortnight to prepare, split your time into three blocks. Spend the first few days reading any official handbook or syllabus straight through — don't try to memorise yet, the goal is familiarity. Move on to topic-by-topic revision, focusing on the areas you found least intuitive on the first read. In the final week, switch to timed mock tests under exam conditions; mark every paper ruthlessly and read every explanation, including for questions you got right by guessing. Most candidates improve by 8–12 marks between their first and third mock simply by closing knowledge gaps this way.
Common myths to ignore
Three myths trip up more candidates than any single topic. The first is that "if I sit enough mocks, I'll spot the real questions on test day" — modern UK exam banks contain hundreds of items and the question you see on the day will probably be brand new to you. The second is that you can cram the night before; most assessments reward calm focus more than recent recall, and tired candidates make basic mistakes. The third is that the pass mark is the only thing that matters: aiming for a comfortable buffer of 5–10 marks above the threshold is the single best insurance against an unlucky paper.
What to do on test day
Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early with valid photo ID — usually a UK driving licence or passport — and any booking confirmation you've been emailed. Eat something light beforehand, drink water but not so much that you'll need a comfort break mid-paper, and silence your phone before you walk through the door. Read every question twice, flag anything you're unsure of, and never leave a blank — there's no negative marking on the assessments most readers of this site sit, so a considered guess is always better than no answer at all.
