PCO licence renewal - everything London drivers need to know in 2026

Published: July 2026 - Written by a TfL licensed PCO driver

If your PCO licence expires and you have not renewed it in time, you cannot legally drive for Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW or any other platform in London. Not for a day, not for a week - until TfL processes your renewal. For most drivers that means zero income for weeks, sometimes months, over a piece of paperwork that could have been avoided.

This guide covers exactly when to renew, what the process actually involves, and how to make sure this never happens to you.

What is a PCO licence?

A PCO licence, formally called a Private Hire Driver Licence, is issued by Transport for London and is a legal requirement to drive any private hire vehicle in London for reward - including Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW and any other platform. Without a valid PCO licence you are not permitted to work as a private hire driver in London, regardless of what any platform app shows you.

The licence is separate from your standard UK driving licence and must be renewed periodically - currently every 3 years for most drivers.

When should I start my renewal?

This is the single most important piece of information in this guide.

TfL explicitly recommends starting your renewal application at least 8 to 10 weeks before your current licence expires. In practice, many drivers report the actual processing time running longer during busy periods.

Do not wait until your licence is close to expiring to start. Renewal is not instant, and if your licence lapses before the renewal is processed, you cannot legally drive - even if you have already submitted your application and are simply waiting for approval.

Why do renewals get delayed?

Understanding the common causes of delay helps you avoid them entirely.

Incomplete DBS checks: Your Disclosure and Barring Service check must be current and correctly linked to your application. Delays here are one of the most common causes of a slow renewal.

Missing or expired documents: Medical certificates, proof of address, and right to work documents must all be current at the time of application, not just at the time you first got licensed.

Enhanced checks triggered by change of circumstances: Any change in your personal circumstances since your last licence can trigger additional review time.

High application volumes: TfL processes a high volume of renewals throughout the year, and processing times can extend during particularly busy periods.

What documents do I need for renewal?

Requirements can change, so always confirm the current list directly on the TfL website before applying. As a general guide, you will typically need:

• -A valid enhanced DBS check registered with the DBS Update Service
• -A current medical certificate from an approved medical practitioner
• -Proof of right to work in the UK
• -Proof of address
• -Passport-standard photographs meeting TfL's specification
• -Payment of the renewal fee

What happens if my licence expires before renewal is approved?

If your PCO licence expires before your renewal is approved, you are not legally permitted to drive for any private hire platform in London. This is true even if you have already submitted your renewal application and TfL is still processing it.

This is precisely why the 8 to 10 week advance window matters so much. A gap here is not a paperwork inconvenience - it is a direct, immediate loss of income with no safety net, for however long the gap lasts.

How Driverr helps you avoid this

This is exactly the problem Driverr's licence reminder feature was built to solve.

Driverr tracks your PCO licence expiry date and sends push notifications at 90 days, 60 days and 30 days before expiry - giving you the advance warning needed to start your renewal well within TfL's recommended window, not after it is too late.

The same reminder system also tracks your insurance, MOT, TfL vehicle licence and service due dates - every renewal deadline that could otherwise cost you a shift, or your entire livelihood, if missed.

Set your PCO expiry date once in Driverr and let the reminders do the rest. Download Driverr free at driverr.app.

Quick renewal checklist

• -Mark your renewal date 10 weeks before expiry, not the expiry date itself
• -Confirm your DBS check is current and linked to the DBS Update Service
• -Book your medical certificate appointment early - availability can be limited
• -Gather proof of address and right to work documents before starting the application
• -Submit via the official TfL private hire driver licensing portal
• -Set a Driverr reminder so you never have to track this manually again

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about the TfL PCO licence renewal process based on publicly available guidance. Requirements, fees and processing times can change. Always confirm current requirements directly on the official TfL website before applying, as this guide does not replace official TfL guidance.