Guides
Plain-English explanations written from TfL's own material. Each guide shows its sources and when we last checked it (2 Oct 2026).
How to get a PHV licence
Requirements, assessments, checks and fees in order.
SERU explained
What the assessment covers and how to prepare.
Badge and licence rules
Wearing, keeping, losing and returning your badge and licence.
What you must tell TfL
Changes, convictions, medical conditions and the time limits.
Vehicle licence and insurance
Licence discs, hire or reward insurance and collisions.
PHV vs taxi rules
Bookings, ranks, bus lanes and where you can stop.
Driving and parking rules
Bus lanes, ranks, red routes, PCNs, Congestion Charge and ULEZ.
Safer driving
Speed, distraction, cyclists, seatbelts and daily vehicle checks.
Equality and disability duties
Protected characteristics and how to help passengers.
Wheelchairs and assistance dogs
Your legal duties, charges and medical exemptions.
Safeguarding
Signs a child or adult may be at risk and who to call.
Ridesharing
Separate fares, strangers and the handbook's safety habits.
How to pass SERU first time
A two-week study plan built on the handbook.
English language requirement
B1, the speaking test and how SERU fits in.
Topographical skills assessment
Computer based format, marks, pass mark, exemptions and prep.
DBS and the Update Service
The enhanced check, fit and proper, and what to report.
Medical requirements
DVLA Group 2, exemptions, age rules and new conditions.
Renewing your licence
Three-year licences, expiry, medicals and a checklist.
Lost or stolen badge
Report, replace and what to do until you are sorted.
Complaints and lost property
How TfL handles complaints and what to do with items left behind.
Record keeping
Documents to carry and notes worth making.
Difficult and intoxicated passengers
When you can refuse, how to calm things and what to report.
First-week checklist
Seven days of practical set-up for new drivers.
Choosing an operator
What every operator must do and questions to ask.
Glossary
Plain-English meanings of PHV licensing terms.
FAQ
Short answers to common licence and work questions.
Congestion Charge
Who pays, the wheelchair accessible exemption and charging hours.
ULEZ
Euro 4 and Euro 6 standards, the V5C and checking your vehicle.
Red routes
Stop but do not wait, the cashpoint exception and clearways.
Penalty charge notices
How PCNs arrive, what to report and why repeats matter.
Airport pick-ups
Byelaws, the PHV Authorised Vehicle Area and taxi ranks.
Plying for hire and touting
Why every journey needs a booking and what to say to walk-ups.
Journeys outside Greater London
When you may accept them and what to ask your operator.
Fares and receipts
Who agrees the fare and what to do when plans change.
Booking details operators record
The seven items recorded before each journey.
Protecting yourself at work
Name checks, clear journey plans and lone worker devices.
CCTV in your vehicle
The signage rule, evidence and insurance.
Recording an incident
Nine details to write down and how to look after yourself.
Professional conduct
Privacy, the back seat and the zero-tolerance sexual behaviour rule.
Suspicious items and behaviour
When to call 999 and the anti-terrorist hotline.
Child passengers and seat belts
Who is responsible and the rear-seat fallback.
Phones and sat navs
Hand-held ban, hands-free use and the swept area.
Daily vehicle check
A full checklist for cab, passenger area, tyres and outside.
Venues and neighbours
Noise, litter, engines and late-night venue rules.
PHV signage from 4 January 2027
What the signs show, where they go and exemptions.
Licence delays and early renewal
TfL notices, the goodwill payment and why to apply early.
Unlicensed operators
Checking an operator's licence number on the public register.
These guides are general information from the TfL Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Handbook, version 1.0, 30 September 2021, which TfL says is not a complete statement of the law. They are not legal advice.