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TfL say just 41 of its thousands of private hire drivers applied using a non-UK driving licence although some manual checks are still required
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that 41 currently licensed private hire drivers applied using a non-UK driving licence, following a Freedom of Information request published.
The figure represents a small proportion of London’s 112,457 licensed private hire drivers. However, TfL said it was unable to report on a further 10,424 records without manually checking each one because of an issue with its reporting system.
TfL said it was working to rectify the reporting problem. It added that the drivers within the unreported group had met the authority’s requirements when applying for a private hire driver licence.
The licensing authority said it believed the number of non-UK licences within the 10,424-record subset was likely to be “very low” and broadly proportionate to the 41 drivers identified in its available data.
Applicants for a London private hire driver licence must be at least 21 years old and have held a full DVLA, Northern Ireland or eligible EU/EEA state driving licence for at least three years. TfL said it accepts qualifying licences issued by EU and EEA member states, subject to the relevant licensing requirements.
The authority said its assessment of applicants goes beyond whether they hold a valid driving licence. Its licensing policy also considers patterns of unsafe or irresponsible driving, including serious traffic offences, repeat motoring convictions, significant penalty points and previous disqualification.
Applicants with serious driving histories may have their applications refused, TfL said, because passenger safety is a key consideration in the licensing process. The authority directed applicants to its published Taxi and Private Hire Driver Policy for the full licensing criteria.
The disclosure follows a request asking how many TfL-licensed private hire drivers were operating with a “NON-UK driving licence”. TfL said the 41 identified drivers applied using a non-UK licence, rather than stating that all 41 were currently driving with an overseas licence.
