TfL Licensing Delays Cause Financial Hardship for Private Hire Drivers

Transport for London (TfL) has apologised for delays in its private hire licensing system, which have left hundreds of drivers unable to work. The disruption, caused by technical issues with a new online system, has forced many drivers into financial hardship as they wait months for their licences to be processed. Reports indicate that these delays have led to ride-hailing drivers being left jobless, exacerbating financial struggles among those reliant on private hire work.

The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has received complaints from over 500 affected drivers, with some taking out loans to cover their living expenses, while others have missed mortgage and car payments.

A TfL spokesperson acknowledged the problem:

"We are working closely with our system service provider to rectify any system issues and have increased the number of licensing staff who are processing and issuing licences."

TfL insists that most drivers have not been affected, but admitted that some cases were delayed, particularly those requiring additional documentation.

The spokesperson further added:

"This has led to some drivers being unable to continue working. We apologise to any driver that has been affected."

In London, private hire drivers must renew their licences every three years through TfL. The IWGB has criticised the delays, noting that even drivers who applied four months in advance have been left unable to work because their licences expired before renewal.

Kambiz Hemati, a private hire driver with 12 years of experience, has spent £1,800 on medical tests, a DBS check, and TfL’s licensing fees, yet his renewal is still pending.

Hemati explained:

"I haven't been able to work for over a month. With no income, I've had to borrow more and more money to keep up with my mortgage payments, my car instalments, my insurance. The frustrating thing is that even once TfL finally issues me with a licence, the nightmare won't end there – I'll have to work day and night for months to climb out of the debt I have accrued on account of TfL's disorganisation."

After a recent meeting between IWGB and TfL, some urgent cases have been fast-tracked, leading to at least 70 drivers receiving their licences. However, the union argues that many more remain in limbo, unable to resume work.