Section 2: PHV licensing requirements

Every private hire vehicle (PHV) used in London must hold its own vehicle licence from Transport for London (TfL). Even if you do not own the vehicle you drive, you are expected to know these rules, because you can be asked about them in the SERU assessment. This note covers Section 2 of the PHV Driver's Handbook: vehicle licences and discs, vehicle standards, insurance, collision damage and the role of the operator.

The vehicle licence and licence discs

When a PHV is licensed, the registered keeper receives a vehicle licence, and licence discs are fixed to the front and rear windscreens of the vehicle. The keeper also receives a leaflet that briefly describes the conditions of the licence.

Key rules about discs:

• A PHV licence lasts for one year, and the vehicle must pass another licensing inspection before a new licence can be issued.
• The discs must not be damaged or changed in any way.
• You should not remove the discs, even if you are using the vehicle for private purposes. The discs have security features, so they are permanently damaged if you try to remove them.
• If the discs are damaged, lost or stolen, the vehicle owner should contact TfL immediately so that replacement discs can be issued.
• You cannot use a vehicle for private hire purposes if the discs are missing, badly damaged, or spoilt in any way.
• In exceptional circumstances a vehicle may be given an exemption from displaying the discs. The driver must then carry the exemption notice at all times when the vehicle is being used as a PHV.

Key fact: It is an offence to use a licensed PHV without displaying the discs (unless exempt). Under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 this can lead to a fine on summary conviction.