You might have a passion for driving or you might’ve heard that driving with ridesharing apps like Uber is an easy way to earn an income. But how do you get started? Is it enough to just sign up with an app?
There are a couple of things you need to do, but we put together the very first steps you need to take before you start driving.
You need a PCO licence
First things first, what exactly is a PCO licence? PCO is actually short for the Public Carriage Office, a department within Transport for London that licences and regulates all private hire services. Basically, the PCO licence (Private Hire Driver Licence) is an official document that allows you to drive with any ridesharing apps in London.
You will also hear the term PCO car, which is almost the same thing but for cars. Transport for London asks that your car meets all the requirements for personal transport, and therefore has a valid Private Hire Vehicle Licence.
Can anyone apply for a PCO licence?
There are a couple requirements when it comes to getting a PCO licence. One of them is age – you need to be 21 years or older. Then, you need to have a valid UK driver’s licence and driving experience for at least three years. Lastly, you need to have a right to work and live in the UK.
Other than the requirements above, you’ll still need some other documents. For a full list, head over to this complete guide to PCO car hire in London.
How long does it take to receive a PCO licence?
We did some research around the estimated time, and it usually takes up anywhere from 2 to 16 weeks to have your PCO licence application processed. Keep this in mind when you start to put your documents together.
The good news is that you won’t have to renew your licence for another three years. But when the time comes, remember that the renewal process can also take up to a couple of weeks. The TfL will do their best to process your renewal application quickly, but to avoid staying off the road it’s best to apply at least a month before your PCO licence expires.
How do you apply for a PCO licence?
As with everything else nowadays, registering online will save you some time. First of all, create an account on tfl.gov.uk. You will need to fill in your details and upload a photo, but for all the details it’s safer to head over to TfL’s page on how to apply for a private hire driver licence.
Application costs
Make sure you do some research when it comes to costs. It’s important to know that you will have to pay a fee before actually getting your PCO licence. According to most recent data, a PCO application can cost up to £700 but it really depends from driver to driver. If you already have all the necessary documents and tests, you will most likely pay less.
Getting a PCO licence might seem like a long process, but you can definitely ease your work by reading and preparing your documents ahead of time. Once you apply, all you have to do is wait to receive it. And finally, from the moment you receive it, you’ll be able to sign up and drive with any ridesharing app you wish.
