TfL could soon face legal threat over licence renewal delays affecting thousands of minicab drivers, says IWGB
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Transport for London (TfL) could soon face major legal action over severe licensing delays that have left thousands of minicab drivers unable to work.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn are investigating whether TfL has failed in its legal responsibilities by not renewing private hire licences on time.
Since summer 2024, private hire drivers using platforms such as Uber and Bolt have been reporting growing delays in the licence renewal process. In London, over 100,000 drivers must renew their private hire licence every three years, at a cost of £310. Without a valid licence, drivers are barred from working. Many have been waiting months with no income and little communication from TfL.
The disruption has had serious consequences. Drivers have reported car repossessions, debt, and even homelessness. The situation drew further attention after the death of Rob Dale, a minicab driver who suffered a fatal heart attack while reportedly under intense stress waiting for his licence renewal.
The IWGB has stepped up pressure through weekly protests, including blockades at TfL’s Stratford offices and a vigil for Dale. While TfL has responded by offering some temporary licence extensions and bringing in extra staff, the union says the measures are not enough.
Alex Marshall, IWGB President, compared the situation to the Post Office scandal, accusing TfL of letting a faulty system harm lives without intervention. He criticised what he called discriminatory practices, pointing to different treatment of black cab drivers when licence delays occur.
Marshall said: “What’s happening at TfL is a repeat of the Post Office scandal - managers failing to intervene as a broken computer system tears hundreds of lives apart. Until TfL takes accountability for the deep pain it has inflicted, makes reparations, and reforms their system, we will continue to fight.
“This is about discrimination - TfL ensures black cab drivers can keep working when faced with license delays, whilst the mostly racialised, migrant minicab drivers in the same position are losing their incomes and struggling to feed their families.
“It is only fair for drivers who have lost everything they had - their homes, their cars, their families - to now get compensation. We are also calling for Helen Chapman, the Director of Licensing whose decisions led drivers' suffering to escalate so disastrously, to lose her position, and for systemic reform to prevent future tragedies.”
Ahmed Aydeed of Deighton Pierce Glynn Solicitors, said: “TfL is operating an unlawful system by failing to ensure continuity of licensing for private hire drivers. Drivers belonging to the IWGB have bravely teamed up in this unprecedented legal challenge to hold TfL to account. Any public authority and government that strips people of their livelihood is not fit for purpose.”
Raifu Akanmu, a driver of 17 years, said: “How does TfL expect me to survive with no income? I have no money left to pay my bills and I can't sleep at night thinking about how I'm going to feed my family. I know so many other drivers in pain because of this. We feel completely ignored by TfL - like our suffering does not matter to them."
