DM News has been contacted by Lisa, a prospective private hire vehicle (PHV) driver, who wanted to share her personal experience with the Transport for London (TfL) licensing process.
This is not an allegation of wrongdoing and the points raised below reflect Lisa’s own situation and opinions, shared in the hope of warning and informing new applicants.
Lisa’s Experience Applying for a TfL PHV Licence
Lisa says she decided in October 2024 that she wanted to become a licensed private hire driver in London. She explains that she successfully completed all required assessments early on:
- Topographical test – passed (80%+)
- English speaking test – passed
- SERU assessment – passed
She then applied for her PHV licence and began working through the mandatory checks and tests, paying all associated fees upfront.
Fees Paid So Far (As Stated by Lisa)
According to Lisa, she has paid the following during her application journey:
- £250 – PHV licence application
- £49.50 – Enhanced DBS check (with mandatory subscription, expiring January 2026)
- £36 – Topographical test
- £36 – SERU test
- £36 – DA fee (ELR)
- £80 – Two private GP medical appointments
- £40 – Eye test
- £150 – Glasses following the eye test
Lisa estimates she has spent well over £500 so far, before even being approved to drive.
Where the Process Stalled
Lisa says she has a past medical history that has already been reviewed, clarified, and signed off by her GP as not affecting her ability to drive. She states she is now ready to purchase a vehicle and begin work.
However, she explains that TfL has now requested all medical records from before 2018, when she lived in Cheshire, despite her having moved to London several years ago.
To comply, Lisa says she has had to return to her GP surgery to request records from her previous practice, adding further delays and potential extra costs.
Questions Raised by the Applicant
Lisa shared several questions she feels deserve wider attention:
- Why are applicants allowed (or required) to complete and pay for multiple tests before medical clearance is finalised?
- Is it fair for applicants to spend hundreds of pounds upfront without certainty of approval?
- With large numbers of candidates sitting tests in short time slots, how many may ultimately fail medical checks after paying?
- How do foreign or overseas drivers navigate this process?
- Should TfL and City Hall be more transparent about the financial risk to applicants?
She also questioned whether London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the wider London transport committees are fully aware of how the process impacts individuals on the ground.
Lisa says she has contacted consumer advocate Martin Lewis and London Assembly Transport Committee member Gareth Roberts to raise awareness.
DM News Commentary
This account highlights a concern we hear regularly from drivers: the of licensing.
While public safety and thorough checks are essential, maybe the process needs looking at. For people trying to enter the trade—especially during a cost-of-living crisis—hundreds of pounds spent without guaranteed approval can be devastating.
At DM News, we regularly receive messages from drivers who feel licensing processes could be clearer, fairer, and more transparent—particularly around when applicants should reasonably expect to commit significant money.
This is a personal story, not a claim of malpractice, but it raises questions that deserve open discussion.
If you’ve had a similar experience with TfL licensing, DM News welcomes your story.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you’d like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you.
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