TfL makes several London taxi and private hire licensing policy changes as new rules target driver debts and app account sharing

Transport for London (TfL) has updated its policy governing London taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers, introducing a series of amendments affecting new applicants and existing licence holders from 1 September 2026.

The 130-page Version 6.0 document sets out how TfL will assess applications, driver conduct and continued fitness to hold a licence. The changes range from clarifications to existing requirements through to new sections dealing with cycling offences, unpaid money owed to TfL, non-conviction information and the accumulation of driving offences. TfL says licensing policies will, wherever possible, be applied immediately.

New and renewal applicants must now declare that they do not owe TfL money, including outstanding Congestion Charge or ULEZ payments and fines. TfL says a single unpaid Penalty Charge Notice may not prevent somebody being licensed, but repeated failures to pay penalties or failure to comply with a court payment order could call into question whether an applicant is fit and proper.

The same approach now extends to existing licence holders. Repeated unpaid PCNs or fines, or failure to comply with a court order for payment, may result in licensing action. TfL may also consider revocation where it finds that a driver owed money when applying for their licence but declared that they did not.

Driving records have also received greater attention. The policy has been amended to address drivers with more than one conviction for a major driving offence and changes how nine penalty points are considered. For existing drivers, TfL’s policy sets out potential revocation for a range of major offences, including dangerous driving and several drink or drug-driving offences. Disqualification from driving will normally result in revocation.

Cycling offences have been introduced as a separate licensing consideration for both applicants and licence holders. For new applicants, one isolated minor cycling conviction will not normally prevent licensing, although a warning may be issued. A major cycling offence requires a minimum one-year period before an application will be considered. More than one major cycling conviction within five years will normally result in TfL waiting at least seven years from completion of the sentence for the most recent offence before considering a new application.

TfL has also expanded its policy on drivers sharing operator or taxi company account details. The section now expressly covers taxi drivers as well as PHV drivers. TfL says account sharing can allow somebody other than the designated driver to undertake work without the required regulatory checks and can remove the audit trail identifying who carried out a journey.

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Crucially, the revised policy states that account sharing can still have serious licensing consequences even where the person receiving the account details has not actually undertaken any bookings or jobs. TfL says such cases are still likely to result in licence revocation or refusal of an application unless significant mitigation is provided.

Another new section formalises TfL’s treatment of non-conviction information. A driver’s fitness can be reviewed where they have been arrested or charged, but not convicted, of a serious offence suggesting a potential danger to the public, or where adverse information shows that the driver is under investigation for a serious offence. TfL says public safety will be its paramount consideration when deciding what action to take.

Related amendments have been made to TfL’s approach following arrests, charges, summonses and allegations. For the most serious cases, where the information suggests a driver could present a danger to the public, immediate revocation can be considered. The revised policy also addresses how an appeal against a criminal conviction may be taken into account when TfL considers whether a licence should be immediately suspended or revoked.

The policy also expands the wording around drivers’ obligations to report matters to TfL. All taxi drivers have been required since 1 July 2024 to report arrests and release, charges, cautions and convictions within 48 hours, including driving offences resulting in penalty points. The same applies to PHV drivers whose licences were granted on or after that date.

PHV drivers operating on licences granted before 1 July 2024 remain subject to the previous 21-day requirement until they are relicensed. The new version adds information on the consequences of failing to meet the applicable reporting deadline.

Application requirements have also been tightened in their wording. TfL now specifies that a category B GB driving licence is required where the applicant holds a GB licence, while additional information has been added concerning non-GB licences. The application section has also been amended to state that an application will not be processed where the required fee has not been paid in full, information is missing or the application is incomplete. Information requested by TfL but not subsequently provided can also result in an application not being processed or being refused.

Changes have also been made to the rules surrounding topographical skills assessment certificates, with TfL specifying that certificates not issued by TfL will not be accepted.

For taxi drivers, another key deadline has been confirmed. All London taxis will be required to display prescribed TfL signage from 4 January 2027, with drivers responsible for ensuring the signage is displayed in its designated position. The material includes information about making complaints to TfL as well as statutory and safety information. The same implementation date is recorded for PHV signage.The policy also expands the wording around drivers’ obligations to report matters to TfL. All taxi drivers have been required since 1 July 2024 to report arrests and release, charges, cautions and convictions within 48 hours, including driving offences resulting in penalty points. The same applies to PHV drivers whose licences were granted on or after that date.

PHV drivers operating on licences granted before 1 July 2024 remain subject to the previous 21-day requirement until they are relicensed. The new version adds information on the consequences of failing to meet the applicable reporting deadline.

Application requirements have also been tightened in their wording. TfL now specifies that a category B GB driving licence is required where the applicant holds a GB licence, while additional information has been added concerning non-GB licences. The application section has also been amended to state that an application will not be processed where the required fee has not been paid in full, information is missing or the application is incomplete. Information requested by TfL but not subsequently provided can also result in an application not being processed or being refused.

Changes have also been made to the rules surrounding topographical skills assessment certificates, with TfL specifying that certificates not issued by TfL will not be accepted.

For taxi drivers, another key deadline has been confirmed. All London taxis will be required to display prescribed TfL signage from 4 January 2027, with drivers responsible for ensuring the signage is displayed in its designated position. The material includes information about making complaints to TfL as well as statutory and safety information. The same implementation date is recorded for PHV signage.