Key Takeaways
- Driving without a valid PCO licence is illegal in London.
- You must apply for licence renewal on time– at least 2 months before expiry.
- Submit complete documents when applying for licence renewal.
- The total cost to renew your driving licence can fall around £380.
Why PCO Car Driving Licence is Essential?
PCO Driving Licence is also called a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Driver’s Licence. The only difference between both is that PCO is for drivers, and PHV is for cars. A PCO licence is a permit that allows you to earn money by driving a vehicle using ride-hailing apps, such as Ube, Bolt, and FREENOW. The permit is granted by Transport for London (TfL) and is essential to drive a car on the road legally. Whatever the ride-hailing app you choose, you must have a valid driving licence for this job.
1. Keep Checking the Deadline
Your PCO licence lasts for 3 years, so you must keep checking its expiration date. If you forget, TfL sends you a reminder message 4-6 weeks before its deadline, helping you to renew your driving licence timely. You can also set a reminder on your smartphone to renew your it before expiry.
2. Fill Out the Renewal Form & Submit it to TfL
TfL does not only send you a reminder but also provides a form to renew the PCO licence. As you have already passed through the licencing process, there will be no mess of paperwork this time. You need to fill out the form and submit it to TfL promptly.
Mostly, the papers are already filled in. You only need to sign and send them back. Just be sure to thoroughly review the documents before signing. Also, follow the below guidelines when renewing your licence.
- Sign the declaration after a thorough reading
- Submit the renewal form before the expiry date of the current licence
- Clear both licence and application fee with complete documents
- Apply for a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check that remains valid for 3 months only
- Give a complete medical report
How to apply for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
The form is essential to give proof that you are completely safe for the public. About the process – you only need to fill out the form and submit it online for the DBS check report.
PRO TIP: Enjoy a DBS update service for £13. It keeps your DBS certificate updated, eliminating the need for its renewal.
How to Get a Medical Test
Just make sure you are going with medical reports side by side.
PRO TIP: Pay the DBS and medical report fees together if both are due at the same time!
Well, the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) has set some standards for PCO drivers. You must pass the Group 2 standards to show that you are completely fit for PCO renewal and ride-hailing services.
Now, see the process below!
- Complete the TPH/204 medical form
- Visit your family clinician
- Get his signature
- Submit the papers to TfL
3. Provide Your Recent Photograph
You must provide your recent photograph for PCO licence renewal. The picture you will provide must align with the TfL photograph standards. The photo you click must meet the following criteria:
- Captured against a clear background
- Must be recent (last 12 months)
- It must be sharp and clear
- Should be stain-free
- It must be a full photo (from the top hair to the bottom neck)
Take a photo with the following guidelines:
- Do not cover your face with a mask
- Look straight into the camera’s eye
- Keep your eyes open
- Do not wear glasses
- No head coverings (allowed only for religious values)
How Can You Renew the Expired PCO Licence?
Renew Your Expired PCO Licence in 6 Steps
1. Keep Checking the Deadline
2. Fill out the Renewal Form & Submit it to TfL
3. Provide Your Recent Photograph
4. Attend the Safeguarding Awareness Course
5. Submit Missing Papers
6. Pay for all Expenses
Let’s discuss them in detail!
4. Attend the Safeguarding Awareness Course
TfL demands drivers to complete the safeguarding awareness training before applying for a driving licence renewal. It covers instructions on how to help kids and helpless adults who are exposed to some incidents.
5. Submit Missing Papers
TfL may add something new to paper requirements for driving licence renewal. Check its requirements and submit missing papers, if any.
The documents must include:
- Right to work check
- HMRC certificate
- TfL English test certificate
- Medical form
- A DBS check
- Two recent photographs
- Original licence
- ID cards copy
6. Pay for all Expenses
Now pay £170 to proceed with your driving licence renewal application.
Note: Remember to return your old licence within 7 days after it expires.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a PCO Licence
Explore the table for total expanse breakdowns!
| PCO Licence Renewal Expense Breakdown | |
| Licence application fee | £170 |
| DBS Check | £52 (online) / £54 (paper) |
| Medical test | ~£80 |
| Post office check & send | £7.15 |
| English test | £36 |
| SERU assessment | £36 |
With English test submission through the post office, the licence total cost can fall around £380. You can save £10 by getting registered with the TfL website. It enables you to apply online and makes the renewal process easy.
What If You Can’t Renew Your PCO Licence?
Driving a car on Uber or any other ride-hailing platform is illegal without a valid PCO licence in London. It is mandatory to renew your licence before it expires. Otherwise, you cannot drive your car. Moreover, your car driving career can shut down for at least 6 weeks. If you leave your expired driving licence as it is for 3 months, the management will remove your data from the system. After that, you will have to repeat the registration process to get your driving licence. Remember that it is time-consuming.
Penalties You Can Face If You Drive Without a Licence
Please stop if you are driving without a licence. Authorities can take strict actions if they catch you doing so. The penalties you can bear include:
- Up to £2,500 fine
- Licence suspension
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renewing an Expired PCO Licence
Many drivers make some common mistakes when applying to renew their licence. You must avoid them because the blunders can lead to a costly and complicated process. Here are some common mistakes:
- Submission of missing documents
- Ignoring the training course
- Applying for renewal without research
- Ignoring deadline
When Should You Apply for PCO Renewal?
Timely licence renewal is crucial. The process can take 3-4 weeks. Therefore, you should never wait for the deadline or the reminder from TfL. Apply at least 2 months before your driving licence expiry so that it does not affect your income source.
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FAQs
The PCO licence lasts for 3 years.
TfL can take 3-4 weeks to renew a PCO driving licence. Therefore, you must submit documents timely. Otherwise, you can experience issues regarding driving a car.
There are two conditions. DBS check cost is £54 if you apply through papers. However, in the second condition, which is an online application method, you will pay £52. Undoubtedly, it is not much in saving, but it can save your time and make the processing easy.
If you linger on your expired driving licence for 3 months, the TfL team will remove your data from the system. After that, you will have to repeat the complete process that you followed for the very first time.
You must have the following documents for PCO licence renewal.
- Right to work check
- HMRC certificate
- TfL English test certificate
- Medical form
- A DBS check
- Two recent photographs
- Original licence
- ID card copy
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