TfL faces High Court challenge over licence delays for private hire drivers
- Perry Richardson
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Transport for London (TfL) is facing a High Court judicial review over lengthy licence delays which have left thousands of private hire drivers unable to work for months.
The claim, lodged by Deighton Pierce Glynn Solicitors (DPG) on behalf of members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), seeks to force TfL to urgently address what the union describes as a “systemic failure” in its licensing process.
At the centre of the legal action is IWGB member Julius Mugabo, who has been without a licence since March despite submitting the necessary documents for renewal. The High Court application requests both a judicial review and an injunction requiring TfL to issue Mugabo’s licence within two days.
Mugabo, who supports his partner and children, says he has faced mounting financial difficulties, rent arrears, missed council tax payments and serious health problems, including dangerously high blood pressure.
The IWGB says Mugabo’s case highlights a widespread issue affecting thousands of drivers. Members have reported losing their vehicles to repossession, falling into homelessness and suffering severe mental and physical health impacts. The union also cited the case of Robert Dale, a driver who died from a heart attack under stress while waiting for his licence renewal.
IWGB President Alex Marshall has submitted evidence arguing that TfL’s problems pre-date the current backlog, stretching back to 2023. The union has already organised regular protests which forced TfL to make concessions, but says legal action is now required to secure permanent reform.
If successful, the case could compel TfL to overhaul its licensing system, with consequences for more than 108,000 private hire drivers in London.
Alex Marshall said: “This is the starting pistol of an unprecedented legal battle against TfL, which won’t end until we have secured accountability, compensation, and meaningful systemic change.
“Instead of despairing as TfL took a bulldozer to their lives, IWGB drivers stood up, supported each other, organised protests, and put so much pressure on TfL that we achieved significant wins.
“Whether on the streets or in the courts, we have proved that we are a union that does whatever it takes to win justice. The bravery shown by Julius and every driver who has given their time and energy to this fight should serve as an inspiration to all those working in the sector.”
Julius Mugabo said: “I used to have a happy home, good health, and hope for myself and my children’s future. Because of TfL, I have lost everything.
“Today - after over four months with no income - I am in debt, I am unwell, and I am afraid of losing the roof over my children’s heads. Hopefully this injunction will finally allow me to get back to work.
“But this is not just about me, this is about the thousands of other drivers whose lives have been devastated by TfL’s inexcusable conduct. I refuse to allow TfL to get away with this destruction, and am proud to be fighting back on the frontline alongside my union - the IWGB - for justice. ”
Ralitsa Peykova, solicitor at DPG said: “Julius’s case is representative of a wider, deeply troubling systemic failure at TfL. Drivers are being left without the ability to work simply because their licences aren’t renewed on time.
“These are people with families to support, bills to pay, and lives that depend on being able to earn a living. The consequences have been devastating. This legal challenge isn’t just about securing urgent relief for Julius, it’s about pushing for a system that works to prevent thousands of others from being put in the same impossible position.”
