Since the arrival of the much controversial Private Hire company ‘Uber’ in the UK. Transport for London have received unprecedented driver applications for individuals to become ‘Private Hire Drivers’.
The industry has seen an influx of wanna be drivers. So the question is why now?
Well it seems that unlike many other companies ‘Uber’ appears to attract both customers and drivers a like, with their unique web app.
The app that the customers download upon registration enables them to simply log on to the app and physically witness where the nearest ‘Uber’ driver is located, nearest to where the customer is.
This in turn has de-creased the time in which a customer waits for a ‘Private Hire Driver’ aka minicab driver. Not to be mistaken for a ‘Black Taxi Driver’.
This brings me onto how this impacts the famous ‘Black Taxi Drivers’? Well the answer is greatly in a negative way. There has been mass London demonstrations by the famous ‘Black Taxi Drivers’ in the UK. They feel that ‘Uber’s’ introduction in the UK impedes their right to stop at the whim of road side customer.
They feel that ‘Uber’ is providing a very similar service without the important intermediary of an independent booking service. Many Black Taxi drivers have spent years learning the thousands of London roads and destinations and feel that their training and earnings are seriously at risk.
Becoming a TFL private hire driver involves a number of steps. These include the following; Complete a TFL private hire driver application form, complete a CRB/DBS, Complete and pass a Topographical Test, Complete/Pass medical and submit the relevant fees.
Topographical Test Centres are placed throughout London TFL have a number of approved Test Centres/Providers.
Once you have you obtained all the relevant paperwork and completed tests and medicals and received your license then you are ready to work/drive as a ‘Private Hire Driver’ aka minicab driver. You can work for a number of minicab companies/ airport transfer companies/ or even Uber.
To become a PCO Private Hire Driver, the application/ test process can take up to 4 months. Good luck with whatever avenue you choose to go through. Just remember to do your research before hand.