Industry Licensing and Regulation
Private Hire Licensing
The role of the Public Carriage Office (PCO) includes the licensing of taxi and private hire services in London. Following the introduction of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 the licensing of private hire services is now virtually complete with approximately 2,300 licensed private hire operators, 44,000 licensed private hire drivers and almost 46,000 licensed private hire vehicles.
In addition, there are approximately 21,000 licensed taxis (black cabs) and almost 25,000 licensed taxi drivers. In order to become licensed all taxi driver applicants must first complete the world famous Knowledge of London and demonstrate a thorough knowledge and awareness of London’s streets and places of interest.
To cope with the additional volume an integrated taxi and private hire information technology system (TAPITS) has been developed.
The PCO are also responsible for:
Reviewing and setting of taxi fares
Appointing taxi ranks
Improving travel information
Making services safer and more accessible
Helping the Mayor of London integrate public transport in the Capital
For further information contact the PCO
Post: Public Carriage Office
15 Penton Street
London
N1 9PU
Telephone: 0845 602 7000
Fax: 020 7941 7897
Email: enquiries@pco.org.uk
For further information relating to PCO licensing, please follow the links to related pages on the left.
