Before signing up to become an Uber driver or drive on any other rideshare platform, you need to have the proper licensing documentation. This means meeting the PCO licence requirements for you, as a driver, as well as the PHV licence requirements for your car.

Part of licensing your car is making sure it complies with TfL standards. Since TfL is the authority granting the PHV licence you need to drive your car with Uber, it’s important to make sure you comply with both TfL requirements, as well as Uber car requirements.

Even so, not all cars are approved by Uber. Depending on your location and Uber services available, Uber has a comprehensive list of Uber approved cars that you can check.

Check eligible vehicles for Uber in London

TIP: Skip the car paperwork hassle by subscribing to our PCO car hire plan and get a ready-to-go EV.

What is a PCO vehicle inspection?

The PCO vehicle inspection is a mandatory requirement for getting your PCO vehicle licence. Your car needs to pass a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) to ensure it checks all the safety boxes for on-demand driving.

Whatsmore, as long as you’re using the car for transporting passengers, you need to renew your licence each year. The TfL Private Hire car inspection costs around £140.

What are the TfL PCO vehicle requirements?

From 1 January 2023, all PHVs licensed for the first time must meet new emission requirements:

• The car shouldn’t be older than ten years or should be a newer model
• All PHVs must be zero-emission capable (ZEC) and meet the Euro 6 emissions standard when licensed for the first time

PHVs which are fully electric or have a hydrogen fuel cell will meet the new licensing requirements.

Need an eligible car for PCO driving? Check our PCO cars for sale through Flexi own plan.

How do I sign up for a PCO vehicle inspection?

The easiest and quickest way is to book an inspection online, on the TfL website. You can choose a date, time and location that suits you and you can even cancel or reschedule your appointment if needed. You can also book an inspection by calling 0343 222 5555.

Book a car inspection through TfL

DID YOU KNOW? If you’re a Splend customer, we take care of everything, including the Private Hire Vehicle licence inspection every 6 months, at our London Hub.

Inspection sites in London:

• Central West Site
  Unit 2 Aquarius Business Park, Staples corner, Priestly Way, NW2 7AN
• South East Site
  Unit 13 & 14, Klinger Industrial Park, Edgington Way, Sidcup, DA14 5AF
• North Site
  Unit 2, Watermill Business Centre, Edison Road, Enfield, London, EN3 7XF
• West Site
  20A Airlinks Industrial Estate, Spitfire Way, Heston, TW5 9NR
• Central East Site
  Unit 10 Segro Park, Rainham, RM13 8HY

If you’re booking outside London, your car needs to be inspected and licenced by the local council.

Find and contact your local council

IMPORTANT: Unless the car is registered to your name, you’ll need to be nominated by the registered keeper to act on their behalf when making an application and presenting the car for inspection.

What documents do I need for the PCO vehicle inspection?

When attending your inspection appointment, make sure you have the following documents ready and valid:

• Existing PHV licence and discs (for renewals)
• V5c DVLA Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Hire and reward insurance documents (Check PHV insurance and Amazon Flex insurance for more details)
•  MOT certificate issued within the last 14 days
• Any vehicle modification documents (if applicable)
• Voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval – VIVA (for personal imports and left-hand drive vehicles)
• Certificate of conformity (if required)

DID YOU KNOW? All Splend cars have a valid PHV licence, so once your personal documents are in order, you can just start driving and let us handle any paperwork.

How often do I need to do the PCO vehicle inspection?

You need to renew your PHV licence, therefore you need to get your car inspected each time. If you’re outside London, it’s up to the local council to decide how often you need to inspect your car. However, they can’t test any more than three times a year.

What happens if I fail the PCO vehicle inspection?

Ideally, you should pass it the first time, so you don’t have to pay for a second inspection. It’s up to you to prepare for inspection day. Make sure your car meets all the TfL requirements, that you have the necessary paperwork, and that your car is properly maintained and serviced (no dents, scratches, paint damage).

However, if you don’t pass the inspection, you can schedule a re-test as early as 21 days from the initial inspection or even longer, if you need to make repairs.

About Splend

We enable people to make money by driving. Our vision is a future where every on-demand driver can be successful.

We’re PCO car specialists. Don’t take our word for it—drivers rate us excellent on Trustpilot. We can set you up with a brand-new or new-model car on our Flexi own plan, plus we provide the training and support you need to become an Uber driver that’s more profitable, safer, and fulfilled.

Make an appointment at our London Hub at 393 Edgware Road Cricklewood, London, email us, or say hello on 0333 016 4331