Whitechapel is home to colourful districts, delicious Asian foods, multicultural people, and the famous Whitechapel market. It’s known as the future administrative center of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in the Eastern part of London and is a great place to be. If you’re wondering how to get your PCO license in Whitechapel, you’ve come to the right place.

A PCO license is a private hire driver’s licence that can be used for services like Uber or Bolt. Most people simply prefer to call it the PCO license despite its name. You can start your application for becoming a PCO driver by applying for the license at the TFL website. However, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites before you can qualify for the license.

Here are some things you should know when you get your PCO licence in Whitechapel:

Check The Eligibility Criteria Before Applying

To apply for the licence, you must be 21 years or older and have at least 3 years of driving experience in the UK. Also, you must have a legal right to work in the UK. If you meet the preliminary criteria, gather the following documents to complete your application.

  1. Any informational document that pertains to you living abroad in the past 3 years
  2. Electronic CounterpartCode or the DLVA Check Code
  3. English language qualificationof B1 or higher
  4. Debit and credit card information for necessary payments
  5. A tax check code to confirm your tax registration and tax payments
  6. Proof of address like bank statements and utility bills dated within 3 months
  7. National insurance number
  8. A UK driver’s licence with at least 3 years of driving experience
  9. Passport

the view along Whitechapel road

Get A DBS Certification

Before applying for the licence, you must prove your good character. So, you’ll need to go through an enhanced criminal records check from the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service). This check can be valid for up to 3 months. Your employers can go online and check it with your consent.

Get Medically Certified

You’ll need to get tested medically before you apply for the licence. You must be able to pass the Group 2 standard of DLVA (Driving and Vehicle Licencing Agency). You can print the form, enter your details and visit a general practitioner so they can confirm the information you’ve provided is correct. You’ll also need to ensure the GP does eye tests to save yourself the extra hassle.

You’ll Need to Get A Work Permit Check

So for this licence you need 3 years of driving experience in the UK, and you need to confirm that you can legally work in the UK. So to fact-check this you can fill out an check that’ll be carried out by the TFL on the government website after you’ve submitted the PCO licence application.

If there are any discrepancies, you might be asked to produce more documents. And you’ll also need to submit a Living and Working Abroad form if, for any reason, you’ve lived outside the UK in the past 3 years for 3 months or more.

Get The Unique Tax Code For Application Process

Once you begin applying for the PCO licence, you’ll need to provide proof and acknowledge that you understand your tax obligations in the UK. You can get a tax check with HMRC using your Government Gateway ID and password. This will generate a unique tax code for you that’ll be viable for 120 days. So, don’t forget this code; it’s crucial for your application process.

lines of private vehicles on the road

Take The English Test

Your application will require proof that you can speak, understand, and read English up to the B2 level. There are two kinds of assessments you’ll need to pass:

  1. The listening and speaking assessment to evaluate your conversation skills
  2. The Safety, Equality, and Regulatory requirements (SERU) assessment to evaluate your writing and reading abilities to check your comprehension of safety and equality matters.

For assessment number 2, you can take a safeguarding and awareness training course. It’ll help educate you on protecting vulnerable adults and children at risk from abuse and harm.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll be asked to take the topographical tests. After passing that you can wait for the licence.

a person driving a car

Get Started With PCO Car Rental In London

It’s up to you to choose which platform you wish to start earning from. If you don’t wish to buy a vehicle for your PCO services, you can always rent from us at G&M Direct Hire. We’re a leading PCO car rental company in London with PCO-licensed cars for rent like Toyota Prius, Kia e-Niro, etc. Get in touch with us now for more information.