TfL private hire driver licensing delays continue to plague over 100 members, warns union
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
Private hire drivers in London remain caught in ongoing licensing delays despite previous commitments from Transport for London (TfL) to clear the backlog, according to a new letter from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB).
The letter, sent to Helen Chapman, TfL’s Director of Licensing, highlights that earlier assurances made to the London Assembly Transport Committee have not been met. TfL had pledged that all renewal applications would be cleared by the end of July and first-time applications by the end of September. Neither target has been achieved.
The IWGB says it still represents over 100 drivers affected by delays, with new cases being reported daily. The union outlines repeated administrative issues including multiple requests for the same documentation, and automated emails incorrectly informing drivers that their applications have been withdrawn. In some cases, these automated messages have led to actual withdrawal of applications, creating further delays.
There are also concerns that too few temporary licences are being issued, and that some of those issued have expired before full licences have been granted. The IWGB warns that this has left many drivers unable to work and facing severe financial difficulties.
The union is demanding that TfL take a series of urgent steps, including the immediate issuance of either full or temporary licences for all pending renewals, a six-week processing cap for new applications, and a transparent system for how applications are prioritised. The IWGB also calls for face-to-face driver support, direct referrals for union assistance, a compensation scheme for affected drivers, and a long-term commitment to better staffing levels within the licensing department.
The union says the licensing system is still not functioning properly, echoing concerns raised by the Mayor of London who previously described the department as “not fit for purpose”. The letter references the death of private hire driver Rob Dale, which it says highlights the serious consequences of ongoing inaction.
An urgent meeting has been requested with TfL officials to clarify current timelines and the number of outstanding cases. The IWGB has warned that if there is no immediate improvement, drivers will escalate their response, potentially returning to TfL offices in person to demand answers.
