What Does PCO Stand For?
PCO stands for the Public Carriage Office, which is a department under Transport for London (TfL) responsible for licensing private hire drivers in London. A PCO licence—also known as a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Driver’s Licence—is required to work legally as a minicab driver or chauffeur. Without it, drivers cannot be hired by private hire operators.Both minicab drivers and chauffeurs apply for the same licence, while black cab drivers follow a separate process known as “The Knowledge.”
Who Can Apply for a PCO Licence?
To ensure passenger safety and professional standards, TfL requires all applicants to meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a valid DVLA, Northern Ireland, or EEA driving licence for a minimum of 3 years
- Meet DVLA Group 2 medical standards, confirmed through a GP medical examination
- Pass an Enhanced DBS (criminal record) check to ensure good character
- Demonstrate topographical skills such as map reading and route planning
- Be able to read, speak, and understand English to a good standard
At Eastend Training, we help applicants understand and meet each of these requirements step by step, making the PCO journey clearer and easier to complete.
