Yes, you may be able to get a TfL PHV/Taxi license, depending on the types of convictions and how long ago. A thorough background check will be done when you apply for TFL Taxi or PHV license.
Click on the dropdowns below to see how different convictions affect your eligibility, how long you have to wait, or if your application will be automatically refused.
Refusal of the application
The following convictions would result in the refusal of your application by TfL:
- Murder, manslaughter, or culpable homicide
- Terrorism offenses
- Any offense that involved loss of life
- More than one conviction for any violent offense
- Rape or attempted rape, assault by penetration, or sexual assault and indecent assault
- Any offenses involving children or vulnerable adults
- Possession of indecent photographs or child pornography
- Exploitation of prostitution
- Any sex/indecency offense committed while working as a taxi/PHV driver
- More than one conviction for any sex or indecency offense
- Currently being on the Violent and Sex Offender Register, or subject to a sexual harm prevention/risk order
Human Trafficking & Exploitation
- Trafficking for prostitution, sexual exploitation, or general exploitation
- Or any similar offences
- Causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving
- Causing death while driving unlicensed, disqualified, uninsured, or under the influence drugs and drink
- More than two convictions for drink/drug driving
- Having 12 or more penalty points on your current DVLA license
- Or any similar offences
- More than one conviction for an offense of dishonesty in the last 10 years
- More than one conviction or caution for illegally plying for hire (touting) in the last 5 years
Application for PHV driver’s license that is disqualified from driving under the totting up procedure after the receipt of their application will have their application refused.
⏳10 years wait before license is granted
10 years wait from the time of your sentence or disqualification completion is required for the following, before your license is granted:
Serious Violence & Hate Crimes
- Aggravated burglary or Robbery
- Grievous bodily harm (GBH) or wounding (with or without intent)
- Kidnapping
- Harassment or stalking involving fear of violence
- Threats to kill
- Riot, violent disorder, and affray
- Racially or religiously aggravated assault, harassment, stalking, or disorderly behavior
- Any other hate crime
- Or any similar offences
- Arson (criminal damage by fire or with intent to endanger life)
- Criminal damage exceeding £5,000 in value
- Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage
- Or any similar offences
- Any offense related to the supply, importing, or production of drugs
- A second conviction for drink or drug driving (10 years must pass after the driving disqualification ends)
- Breach of court orders (e.g., Criminal behavior orders, protective orders, foreign banning orders)
⏳7 years wait before license is granted
7 years should have elapsed from the time of your sentence or disqualification completion for the following, before your license is granted:
- Burglary, theft, handling/receiving stolen goods, or taking a vehicle without consent
- Forgery, counterfeiting, fraud, or deception
- Making off without payment
- Any similar offence
- Perverting the course of justice or perjury
- Offenses concerning witnesses, jurors, or police (e.g., obstructing police, wasting police time)
- Offenses concerning prisoners, offenders or the Coroner
- Possession of a firearm with intent, or carrying a firearm in a public place
- Possession of an offensive weapon or bladed article
- Or any similar offence
- Indecent exposure, outraging public decency, or soliciting (including kerb crawling)
- Assisting illegal immigration
- Or any similar offence
- More than one conviction for possession of drugs
- Any conviction involving or connected with discrimination
- A first conviction for drink or drug driving (7 years must pass after the disqualification ends)
- More than one conviction for a major driving offense in the last 5 years
⏳5 Years wait before license is granted
5 years (at least) at least should have elapsed from the time of your sentence or disqualification completion for the following, before your license is granted:
- A single conviction related to the possession of drugs
⏳3 Years wait before license is granted
3 years (at least) at least should have elapsed from the time of your sentence or disqualification completion for the following, before your license is granted:
- Assault by beating, common assault, or assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Assault on police or assault with intent to resist arrest
- Harassment, stalking, or threatening/disorderly behavior
- Any similar offences
- Criminal damage not exceeding £5,000
- Threats to destroy or damage property
- Any similar offences
⏳1 Year Wait before license is granted
1 year (at least) should have elapsed from the time of your sentence or disqualification completion for the following (or from the end of your disqualification), before your license is granted:
Major Driving Offenses (Single Offense)
- Careless driving, failing to stop/report an accident, or any other single offense resulting in 6 or more penalty points
- Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving
- Aggravated vehicle taking or driving while disqualified
- Dangerous driving or driving with no insurance
- Drink and drugs offences
- Failing to give identify of driver
- Any other single offence that results in six or more penalty points
- An isolated conviction or caution for illegally plying for hire (touting)
⏳6-12 months wait due to Totting up disqualification
Totting Up Disqualifications (6 to 12 Months)
- If you received a 6-month “totting up” ban (accumulating points), you must wait 6 months after the ban ends.
- If your “totting up” ban was longer than 6 months due to previous disqualifications, you must wait 12 months after the ban ends.
????️How TfL Handles Different Cases
Depending on the case, TfL will deal with the following differently as automatic ban or a strict waiting period is not applied to every situation.
Minor Driving Offenses (Endorsable)
- A single, minor driving offense won’t usually stop your application, but you will likely receive a warning from TfL about future conduct.
Minor Traffic Offenses (Non-Endorsable)
- Offenses that do not result in penalty points on your license (like waiting in a restricted street or simple obstruction) will generally not prevent your application from proceeding.
Unlisted Offenses & Overall Character
- If your conviction is not explicitly listed in the policy, TfL will review your DBS check and consider the broader picture. They will look at whether you have more than one offense, your history of rehabilitation, your age when the offense was committed, and the specific circumstances of the crime.
⚠️Important Note:
The start of your waiting time is marked from the end of your sentence (it includes your probation), not from the time you were convicted. For offences related to driving, the waiting time usually starts when the ban on your driving ends.
The safety of the public which includes vulnerability of passengers and unaccompanied passengers, is crucial for TfL, that is why TfL gives careful attention to any convictions, driving offenses and to other similar matters related to applicant.
Public safety is top priority for TfL. Your background history and record will be checked even if you have completed the required waiting time for your conviction. TfL’s final decision regarding your application will be influenced by factors as rehabilitation, the elapsed time and your behavior since the offense.
For more information visit:
https://content.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-and-private-hire-driver-policy.pdf