TfL begins issuing TEMPORARY private hire licences and taxi drivers allowed to continue trading

Transport for London (TfL) will now issue temporary private hire vehicle (PHV) driver licences in response to ongoing delays in its licensing system. The move aims to support existing PHV drivers who meet all the requirements but have been affected by processing backlogs.

The delays stem from the introduction of new licensing software and recovery efforts following a previous cyber incident. While TfL said most drivers have not been impacted, it acknowledged that a number of applicants have faced disruption—particularly those submitting incomplete paperwork.

Short-term licences will be issued for three months where drivers have already submitted full renewal applications and passed all required checks. These temporary licences will not apply where medical or other concerns still need review. Drivers may be granted a further licence if they continue to meet the standards during this period.

Taxi drivers who submitted complete renewal applications before their licences expired will be allowed to continue working while their renewals are processed, in line with current legislation.

In a Notice issued to the industry, TfL said it has increased staff, created escalation routes with driver groups and prioritised renewal cases to help bring the system back to normal. The authority also confirmed a delay to its annual review of taxi and private hire licence fees, now scheduled for July.

Zamir Dreni, General Secretary of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU), said: “We are relieved that, after months of pressure from ADCU, TFL has finally conceded that it needs to issue temporary licences to the thousands of drivers left unable to work, and facing financial hardship and ruin, as a result of the failure of it's licensing renewals. There can be no further delays in the issuing of these emergency licenses. Our members are desperate and it has to happen now.

“We look forward to negotiating further with TFL to find ways of properly supporting drivers, such as capping the number of licences being issued, and enforcing legal rulings against Uber and Bolt as part of TFL's regulatory duty.“

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