Union doubles down on calls for temporary private hire driver licences following meeting with TfL over renewal delays
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is calling on Transport for London (TfL) to introduce temporary private hire vehicle (PHV) licences as the licensing backlog continues to leave drivers without income.
Following a meeting earlier this week with TfL officials, the IWGB said it had seen some movement, with dozens of long-standing licence renewals finally issued. But union representatives say hundreds more drivers remain unable to work, despite submitting all required documents.
The key concern lies with cases referred to occupational health. Drivers in this category report weeks of delay with little to no communication. Some say they are being asked to resubmit documents that have already been sent.
While London’s taxi drivers can receive temporary licences if they apply early, no such arrangement exists for PHV drivers. The IWGB is pushing for parity, arguing that a temporary licensing route would reduce financial losses and avoid further disruption.
Driver Kambiz Hemati said he is one of many stuck in the system, having paid the required fees but still unable to work. He added that the situation has led to growing debt among drivers and rising stress.
Hemati said their WhatsApp group, which now includes more than 400 members, has helped bring attention to the issue. As a result, over 50 licences were recently processed. But he stressed that many others remain blocked due to occupational health reviews.
Hemati said: “Soon after we started talking about this issue we were flooded with stories from drivers stuck in the same waking nightmare - their debt spiralling and mental health deteriorating every day. As a result of our Whatsapp group, which now counts over 400 members, we have been able to successfully pressure TfL into issuing more than 50 renewals. However it is totally unacceptable that those whose cases are sent to Occupational Health are now being disproportionately affected by long waiting times and we are repeatedly asked for documents that have already been sent.
“I am a driver who is affected by this and currently unable to work. I have already paid hundreds of pounds for this renewal and I am still not able to earn. There are hundreds others like me and we need an immediate solution.”
IWGB Chair Nader Awaad acknowledged some progress but said the overall issue is far from resolved. He urged TfL to act quickly by issuing temporary licences, warning that the ongoing delays are placing unnecessary strain on drivers already navigating uncertain working conditions.
Awaad said: “We have seen some positive movement that has led to a number of urgent renewals being made, but for some drivers that haven’t seen their licensing renewed this crisis continues.
“We urge TfL to rapidly rectify the situation by issuing temporary licenses - this is not just a technical issue, this is something that is affecting drivers’ lives, causing extreme financial and mental hardship, and putting unnecessary pressure on workers who are already struggling in the gig economy.”
