Know your rights as a London PHV driver
London’s PHV drivers have significant legal rights — but many go unclaimed because drivers don’t know they exist. This page covers your TfL licensing obligations, your employment rights following the 2021 Supreme Court ruling, and what to do if a platform deactivates your account.
Your TfL licence
Every PHV driver in London must hold two separate licences from Transport for London — a driver licence and a vehicle licence. Both must be kept current. Gaps in licensing can void your insurance and expose you to prosecution.
- Valid for 3 years — renew early, processing can take 6–8 weeks
- Enhanced DBS criminal record check required on every renewal
- SERU (Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding) assessment required on renewal
- Medical examination via DVLA required — check DVLA Group 2 standards
- English language requirement must be demonstrated
- Topographical test required for new applicants
- Separate licence required for each vehicle you use for hire
- Vehicle must meet TfL’s emission and safety standards
- MOT and insurance must be valid and PCO-compliant at all times
- From 2025: new PHV vehicles must be zero emission (electric or hydrogen)
TfL requires all new PHV vehicles to be zero emission from 2025, with full fleet transition by 2030. London Drivers Voice is calling for this deadline to be extended to 2032–35 given the additional pressure of AV displacement and the fuel crisis. Check TfL’s current guidance before purchasing a new vehicle.
Your worker rights — post Supreme Court 2021
In February 2021, the UK Supreme Court ruled in Aslam v Uber that Uber drivers are workers, not self-employed contractors. This was one of the most significant employment law rulings in a generation. If you drive for Uber, you are legally entitled to the following:
- National Living Wage — calculated across total earnings from when the app is open, not just when carrying a passenger
- Holiday pay — 12.07% of earnings (approximately 5.6 weeks per year)
- Pension contributions — via auto-enrolment into a workplace pension scheme
- Protection from unlawful deduction of wages — platforms cannot deduct amounts that bring you below minimum wage
Note: The ruling applies to Uber. Other platforms (Bolt, Ola, Free Now) have different arrangements. Check with ADCU or a solicitor for your specific platform.
If your account is deactivated
Platform deactivation — being removed from the app — is the single most common complaint from PHV drivers. It can happen with little warning and no explanation. You have rights.
- Request the specific reason for deactivation in writing within 48 hours
- Request all data held about you under a Subject Access Request (SAR) — platforms must respond within 30 days under UK GDPR
- Appeal in writing — keep copies of all correspondence
- If you are a worker (see above), unlawful deactivation may constitute unfair dismissal — contact ADCU or ACAS immediately
- Do not accept a settlement without independent legal advice
Employment tribunal claims must generally be brought within 3 months of the deactivation or unfair treatment. Early conciliation through ACAS is required first and adds time. Do not delay if you believe your rights have been breached.
Useful contacts
Your rights are only as strong as your voice
Knowing your rights is the first step. The second is demanding that government and platforms respect them. Sign the petition and email your MP about the three crises facing London’s drivers.
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Issue Driverless taxis arriving with no worker protection Waymo launches in London April 2026. No displacement assessment. No transition fund. |
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