TfL pedicab licensing in London shouldn’t mean an influx of willing drivers, suggests LTDA rep
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 9
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on the potential licensing of pedicabs in the capital. The move aims to regulate a sector that has operated without formal oversight for years. If introduced, the new framework could bring pedicabs under similar rules to those governing licensed taxis and private hire vehicles.
Lloyd Baldwin, Executive Senior Officer at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), has weighed in on the debate, challenging fears that licensing will lead to an explosion of pedicabs across London’s streets. In the latest TAXI Newspaper, he argues that if TfL enforces proper regulations, the requirements will likely be stringent enough to deter large-scale growth.
Key measures under discussion include criminal background checks (DBS), HMRC tax registration, potential medical assessments, and licensing fees. Operators may also face restrictions on fares, a significant shift from the unregulated pricing that has drawn criticism in recent years. Baldwin suggests that the financial burden of compliance, alongside the operational limitations of electric pedicabs, could make expansion unviable.
Currently, pedicabs in London are not subject to the same licensing rules as black cabs or private hire vehicles, leading to ongoing concerns about passenger safety, fare transparency, and road congestion. If TfL proceeds with a robust licensing system, pedicab operators will face greater scrutiny and regulatory hurdles, potentially reshaping their presence in the capital.
TfL has invited feedback from industry stakeholders and the public, with the outcome likely to influence how pedicabs fit into London’s wider transport network.
Lloyd Baldwin, Executive Senior Officer at Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), said: “The Doom and Gloom merchants are suggesting that the possible licensing of pedicabs, or as I prefer to call them rickshaws, will lead to thousands of them all over the streets.
“Now I’m not as arrogant as some on the socials but it’s my opinion that if TfL do their job right then the amount of hurdles their riders will have to jump over (like we do), to obtain a licence will make it not worth it.
“Remember there will be a DBS search, HMRC Tax Codes to get and maybe a medical and the licencing fee. The ridiculous charges they make will also soon be a thing of the past. I can only guess how much these electric rickshaws will cost and what distance they can travel without stopping for a charge. Add to all of that the amount of money one of these things will cost and it seems unlikely we will be swamped with them.”
