TfL sets maximum pedicab fares with £5 base rate and £1 per minute charge under new licensing regime
- Perry Richardson
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Transport for London (TfL) will introduce maximum metered fares for pedicab journeys from October, setting a base fare of up to £5 plus a charge of up to £1 per minute, as part of a new regulatory framework aimed at bringing the previously unregulated sector under formal oversight.
Under the proposals, which are subject to approval by TfL’s Finance Committee on 25 February, operators will also be permitted to add up to £3 for each additional passenger on top of the total fare. The fare structure marks the first time pedicab prices in the capital will be capped, following longstanding concerns over excessive charging in high-footfall areas.
TfL said the fare levels have been calculated to ensure drivers can earn above the London Living Wage, while protecting passengers from what it described as well documented rip-off fares. The regulated maximum fares are scheduled to come into force on 30 October 2026.
The pricing framework forms part of a broader set of regulations enabled by the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024, which grants TfL powers to regulate the trade but does not prohibit pedicab operations. The authority will introduce the new rules in stages over the coming year, with driver and operator licences becoming mandatory from 30 October 2026 and vehicle licences required from February 2027.
Caps on journey prices and mandatory licensing to be phased in from October as London’s pedicab market comes under formal regulation
From 9 March 2026, pedicab drivers will be able to apply for a one-year licence at a proposed fee of £114. Vehicle licences are proposed at £100 per year. A transition period will allow existing drivers and operators time to meet the new standards.
The regulatory package introduces minimum safety and operational requirements for drivers, vehicles and operators. Drivers will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, hold a full driving licence or valid theory test certificate, meet English language standards, satisfy minimum medical requirements and pass an assessment covering safety, equality and regulatory knowledge.
Vehicle standards will include confirmation that pedicabs are road legal, display a valid licence identifier and undergo regular safety checks. External audio systems mounted on pedicabs will be banned. Operators will need to operate from a London premises, complete fire risk assessments, maintain appropriate records and ensure relevant staff have basic DBS checks.
TfL said the measures are designed to professionalise the sector and improve safety across the capital’s road network. While pedicabs are often marketed as a green and distinctive way to travel around central London, they have until now operated without a dedicated regulatory regime.
Since the Act came into force, TfL has conducted two public consultations involving London residents, business groups and industry representatives to develop the framework. The authority said the regulations have been tailored to reflect the specific operating model of pedicabs and the areas in which they predominantly trade.
For businesses in central London, particularly in the West End and tourist districts, the move introduces greater certainty over pricing and standards in a segment that has drawn criticism over inconsistent fares and operational practices. The phased approach is intended to allow market participants time to adapt ahead of full enforcement in late 2026 and early 2027.
TfL said the fare cap and licensing requirements will be kept under review as the industry evolves.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “After years of campaigning, I’m pleased that TfL will be regulating pedicabs across the capital to ensure they meet proper operational standards.
“Pedicabs should be a fun way to explore London – but too often people face rip-off fares, blaring music and unsafe behaviour. We’re bringing in these new rules so that both customers and drivers can benefit from an industry that is more safe, reliable and professional.
“This will play an important role in supporting our vital night-time economy and enabling more people to enjoy all that our great city has to offer as we continue building a safer, fairer, greener London for everyone.”
