Key facts
What does a PCO licence cover?
There are three: a private hire driver licence, a private hire vehicle licence and a private hire operator licence. A driver may only carry passengers booked through a TfL-licensed operator, in a TfL-licensed vehicle.[1][2]
Why is it still called a PCO licence?
The Public Carriage Office regulated London taxis for decades, and the name stuck when Transport for London took over; TfL has licensed private hire drivers since 2003 and vehicles since 2004.[3]
What tests do London private hire drivers take?
A topographical skills assessment, an English speaking and listening assessment and a safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) assessment, each £40 for the first attempt from 9 March 2026, with resits £30.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Is a PCO licence the same as a taxi licence?
No. A PCO (private hire) licence is for pre-booked work only; London taxi (black cab) drivers need a taxi licence and must pass the Knowledge of London.
Can I use a PCO licence outside London?
Pre-booked journeys can go anywhere, but the booking must be taken by a TfL-licensed operator and the driver and vehicle must be TfL-licensed.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] Transport for London: Notice 05/26, Taxi and private hire licence fees (13 March 2026) (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Operator licences for private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] Department for Transport: Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026 (read 2 Nov 2026)