Glossary of London PHV terms

The handbook has its own glossary, and it says you will not be tested on the meanings. But understanding the words makes the rest much easier, especially if English is not your first language. This page restates the handbook's definitions in our own words, grouped by topic rather than alphabetically, so related ideas sit together.

Licensing and the people involved

Licence, licensed, licensee, licensing, licensing authority

A licence is official permission to do something. A licensee is the holder. A licensing authority is the local government body that gives licences. In London, TfL licenses PHV drivers, vehicles and operators.

Operator

A company that gives driving work to a PHV driver. Bookings must come through a licensed operator.

Authorised Officer

Someone who works for TfL and checks that PHV drivers follow the law and TfL regulations.

Badge

The photo ID you wear to show who you are and what your job is.

Condition

Something you must do or agree, for example an extra medical check, attached to your licence.

Exemption, exemption notice

Special permission not to do something, such as not wearing the badge. You receive a notice.

Expiry date

The date something runs out and must be renewed.

Replacement licence

A new licence issued when information changes or the old one is lost.

Suspend

To stop for a short time. A suspended driver cannot work during the suspension.

Revoke

To cancel or take away.

Issue

To give officially, as when TfL issues a licence.

Fit and proper

No fixed legal definition. Generally means not having a criminal record and being honest in dealings with authority.

Registered keeper

The person recorded by the DVLA as the owner of a vehicle.

Assessments and checks

Safety, equality and regulatory understanding assessment (SERU)

A test of your knowledge of the handbook, required by TfL.

Topographical skills assessment

A test of your ability to use a map to plot a route, required by TfL.

Assessment

A test of knowledge, understanding or skills.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

A guide describing the ability and achievements of learners of foreign languages. The PHV licence requires at least level B1 in English.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

A public body that checks people's backgrounds, including past convictions.

Enhanced

A higher level of DBS check that shows full details of criminal records, including cautions and warnings.

Barred List

A list of people not allowed to work with children or some adults.

DVLA

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which holds records on drivers and vehicles and issues driving licences.

Mental Health Order, Sexual Offences Order

Arrangements for treatment of a person with serious mental health problems, and arrangements for how someone who committed a sexual offence must live so they are not a risk.

Crime and enforcement

Caution

A formal police warning given to someone aged 18 or over who admits an offence.

Charge

To accuse of a crime.

Conviction, convict

A court's decision that someone is guilty.

Reprimand

A formal telling off.

Prosecute

To start legal action against someone for an offence.

Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)

A punishment for a driving offence, usually a fine and penalty points, given on the spot or by post.

Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

A penalty similar to a fine for breaking rules on parking, loading, bus lanes or yellow box junctions.

Penalty points

Points added to a driving licence for offences like speeding.

Disqualified

Prevented from doing something, such as driving.

Enforcement

Making sure rules are followed. Enforcement officers work for local councils.

Crime reference number

A number the police give you when you report a crime.

Hate crime

A crime committed against someone because of disability, sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, race or religion.

Witness

A person who sees an event, often a crime, and can give information.

Roads and parking

Highway Code

The rules and guidance for all road users in the UK.

Rank

A special area where taxis wait for customers. At airports these are called authorised standings.

PHV Authorised Vehicle Area

The place at airports where PHV drivers can wait to receive bookings.

Byelaw

A regulation made by a local authority.

Zig-zag lines

Painted markings by pedestrian crossings showing no parking, waiting or overtaking.

Pedestrian clearway

A road section you must not drive on or block because pedestrians use it.

Parking bay, restriction, loading, junction, kerb, obstruction

A space for one car; a rule limiting what you can do; putting things into a vehicle; where roads meet; the edge of a pavement; something that stops or slows traffic.

Give way, pulling away, manoeuvre

To stop and let others go first; driving off from standstill; a movement needing skill, such as a three-point turn.

Emissions standards

Standards for exhaust emissions of new vehicles.

Designated

Officially given a particular role. A wheelchair accessible vehicle can be designated.

Vehicle terms

MOT certificate

Shows a vehicle meets minimum environmental and road safety standards.

Insurance policy

An arrangement where you pay a premium and the company pays out if something is lost or damaged.

Collision

When a vehicle hits another vehicle or object.

Cradle

Something that holds a phone or GPS device in place.

Tread, tyre wear bar indicators

The part of the tyre touching the road, and small rubber pieces in the grooves showing wear. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6 mm across the tread.

Corrosion, rusting, fluid, inspection, signage, lone worker device, CCTV

Metal breaking down, with rust the main kind for cars; a liquid such as oil; a check that something works or rules are followed; signs and notices displayed in the vehicle; a device for calling for help; the Information Commissioner's code covers CCTV use.

People and behaviour

Assistance dog

A dog trained to help a person with a disability.

Braille

A writing system of raised dots read by touch.

Vision-impaired

Having a decreased ability to see.

Discriminate, discrimination

To treat someone unfairly because of sex, race, religion, disability and so on.

Gender reassignment, civil partnership, sexual orientation

Changing sex; a legal joining of two people with rights like marriage; who someone is attracted to.

Vulnerable, exploit, trafficking, assault

At greater risk of harm; to use someone unfairly; trading in something illegal, for example forcing a person to do things against their will; a serious physical attack.

Confidential, anonymous, reassure, comply

Meant to be kept private; giving no name or details; to try to stop someone worrying; to obey a rule.

Self-employed

Working for yourself and being responsible for your own tax payments.

Where to use these: our study plan and the other guides put these words in context. For anything legal, ask TfL.

Paraphrased from the handbook glossary, not an official definition. Not legal advice.