How to get your PHV licence in London

PHV Licence, if you want to become an Uber driver or drive for other rideshare platforms in London, the first thing to do is make sure you have the necessary licenses for both yourself and your car.

Apart from the PCO licence application, you also need a valid licence from TfL, that ensures your car is fit and safe to drive passengers around the city. Here’s what you need to know about getting your PHV licence in London.

What is a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence?

A PHV licence is required for any vehicle used for private hire in London. It proves that your car meets the necessary standards for passenger transport and has been approved by Transport for London (TfL).

Does my car need a PHV licence?

If you plan to use your car for ridesharing, it must meet both TfL’s PHV licensing requirements and Uber’s car requirements. Your vehicle should:

✔ Have no more than 8 passenger seats

✔ Not look like a licensed taxi (e.g., London’s black cabs)

✔ Only display advertising that follows TfL guidelines

✔ Display valid PHV licence discs (exemptions are sometimes granted)

✔ Meet TfL's emission standards

IMPORTANT: As of 1 January 2023, all newly licensed PHVs must be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) and meet the Euro 6 emissions standard. Fully electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles automatically qualify under these new rules.

PHVs which are fully electric or have a hydrogen fuel cell will meet the new licensing requirements.

Do I need a PHV licence for a subscription car?

If you’re looking to drive for Uber but don’t own a car, our PCO-ready plans can help.

All Splend vehicles come with a valid TfL PHV licence, are new-model, and are fully Uber-ready, so you don’t have to worry about handling the paperwork yourself.

How do I get a PHV licence?

To obtain a PHV licence, follow these steps:

1. Have the required documents ready and make sure they are valid

• Vehicle Registration Certificate a.k.a. logbook (V5c) or (AFRL) certificate

• Certificate of  insurance

• MOT certificate – issued within the last 14 days (not applicable to new cars in the first 12 months after registration)

Depending on the situation, you may need additional documents:

• Existing PHV vehicle licence (only if you’re renewing your licence)

• Any vehicle modification documents (if applicable)

• Voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval – VIVA (for personal imports and left-hand drive vehicles)

• Emission equipment - fitment sign off declaration where applicable.

• Other relevant documentation relating to the vehicle (if applicable)

2. Apply online for a PHV licence

You can apply for a PHV licence through TfL’s online application portal. If you don’t already have a TfL customer account, you’ll need to create one before applying.

3. Get a car inspection

The easiest and quickest way is to book an inspection with one of TfL’s licenced inspection centres. You can also do this by calling the vehicle contact centre on 0343 222 5555.

Inspection sites in London:

• Central West Site Unit 2 Aquarius Business Park, Staples corner, Priestly Way, NW2 7AN

• South East Site Unit 13 & 14, Klinger Industrial Park, Edgington Way, Sidcup, DA14 5AF

• North Site Unit 2, Watermill Business Centre, Edison Road, Enfield, London, EN3 7XF

• West Site 20A Airlinks Industrial Estate, Spitfire Way, Heston, TW5 9NR

• Central East Site Unit 10 Segro Park, Rainham, RM13 8HY

If you’re booking outside London, your car needs to be inspected and licenced by the local council. Find and contact your local council. You can also cancel or reschedule your appointment online.

IMPORTANT: Unless the car is registered to your name, you’ll need to be nominated by the registered keeper to act on their behalf when making an application and presenting the vehicle for inspection.

If you need more details on how to obtain a licence, check TfL's Licence guide.

PHV licence FAQ

How much does the PHV application cost?

If you have all the documents ready, except for the MOT, the PHV licence cost is around £200 in total.

To this, you should add the annual cost of your car insurance. It will cost you more if you need to fix your car in order to pass the MOT inspection or renew documents that are missing or expired.

How long is a Private Hire Vehicle licence valid for?

Car licenses are issued for a period of 12 months, from the date of inspection.

How do I renew my PHV licence?

You can renew your PHV licence online. To do this, you have to submit your application again, with the same documents and following the same steps.

TfL will send you a reminder around 6 weeks before your PHV licence expires.

Can passengers check my PHV licence?

Yes. When in doubt, your passengers can always perform a PHV licence check and confirm that your car has a valid PHV licence. However, they will need to provide some basic information, like Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM), licence plate, vehicle make, and model. - TfL PHV licence checker.

Can I get a PHV licence for a left-hand car?

Unfortunately, no. Because of safety reasons, you cannot get a Private Hire Vehicle licence for a left-hand drive car.

About Splend

At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.

That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.