Can You Get a PCO Licence with a Criminal Record?
If you’ve had trouble with the law, you may be asking: can you get a PCO licence with a criminal record?
In many cases, yes, you can still obtain a licence as a private hire driver. A criminal record does not automatically stop you driving a private hire vehicle or taxi. But:
- Some offences will make it very difficult
- Everything is judged case by case
- The licensing authority must be satisfied you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence and carry passengers safely
This guide explains how criminal record checks work, what “fit and proper” really means, and what you can do before applying for a licence.
PCO, Taxi and Private Hire: The Basics
Whether you want to drive:
- A PCO-licensed private hire vehicle in London
- A hackney carriage (taxi) for a local council
- Or work with Uber, Bolt or local operators
You will need the right driver licence, usually for taxi and private hire, plus, a suitable vehicle and, if you run your own business, an operator licence.
All of these sit under one key principle: you must be safe and suitable to carry members of the public.
What Criminal Record Check Do You Need for PCO driving?
Enhanced DBS for taxi and private hire drivers
To become a PCO or other private hire driver, you need an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
An enhanced DBS can show:
- Unspent convictions
- Some spent criminal convictions and cautions
- Warnings, reprimands and other police information, where relevant
The Department for Transport expects all taxi and private hire drivers to be checked at this level to protect users.
To find out more on what applying for a private hire driving licence in London looks like you can find TfL’s page by clicking here.
Regular checks and the Update Service
National standards now expect criminal record checks at least every 6 months for drivers, often via the DBS Update Service, so licensing teams can monitor any new information more frequently.
Sources: DBS checks and the Update Service (taxi and private hire drivers) – Reading Borough Council
Does a Criminal Record Automatically Bar You?
Case-by-case assessment
According to PCO guidance, having a criminal record doesn’t instantly disqualify you from getting licensed. Each application is assessed on:
- Nature of the offence
- Circumstances of the offence
- Your overall conviction history
- Sentence imposed by the court
- Time since the offence and any subsequent good behaviour
- Whether it is part of a pattern of offending
- Your history as an existing private hire driver, if any
Licensing authorities must consider whether you present a risk to passengers, not just whether you have any past issues.
Offences likely to cause serious problems
Some types of conviction are very likely to lead to refusal, especially if recent, for example:
- Major violent offences (murder, manslaughter)
- More than one violent offence in the last 10 years
- Serious sexual offences or multiple sexual offences
- Being on a barred list for safeguarding
- Serious touting offences within the last few years
In these situations, it is “unlikely your application will be successful” under PCO conviction guidance.
Source: Apply for a private hire driver licence – Transport for London
What Does “Fit and Proper Person” Mean?
A licensing authority has to decide if you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence as a taxi or private hire driver. In plain terms, they ask themselves:
“Would I be happy for a friend or relative to be alone with this driver in their car?”
They will weigh up:
- Your criminal record check and any overseas certificate of good conduct, if required
- Any driving offences and fixed penalty notices
- Complaints, if you already hold a licence
- Evidence of honesty, reliability and professionalism
Government guidance stresses that decisions must protect children, vulnerable adults and all passengers using taxi and private hire services.
Source: Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards – GOV.UK
Criminal Records: UK and Overseas
If you lived abroad
If you’ve lived outside the UK for a continuous period (for example, 3 months or more), you may be asked to produce a certificate of good conduct from that country.
You’ll usually need to provide:
- Dates you lived abroad
- Address and any employer details
- Any convictions from that period
If you cannot obtain a certificate after making genuine efforts, the authority will have to decide based on the information they do have, with passenger safety in mind.
Driving Licence Points and Motoring Offences
Having points on your driving licence does not automatically stop you from applying for a PCO licence. The impact depends on:
- What the offence was for
- How many offences you have
- How long ago they happened
There are no fixed central TfL rules published on every motoring scenario, so if you are unsure, it’s sensible to check with the licensing authority before applying.
More serious motoring offences (for example drink‑driving or dangerous driving) are more likely to raise concerns about your suitability as a driver.
How Authorities Judge Your PCO Licence Application
When you are applying for a licence, the licensing authority will look at all relevant factors, not just one line on your DBS:
- Type and seriousness of any criminal convictions
- Time since the offence and your age at the time
- Any pattern of similar behaviour
- Evidence of change and good conduct
- Whether you currently hold a licence elsewhere and your record there
Government standards say authorities should have clear policies on previous convictions but still retain discretion in individual cases. That means they can deviate from policy where there are exceptional, clear and compelling reasons.
Practical Steps if You Have a Record
1. Check your record before you apply
Don’t guess what will appear. Before obtaining a licence or renewing, you can:
- Order a DBS check through the proper route
- If you’ve lived abroad, start enquiries early about any certificate of good conduct needed
2. Be honest on the application
When you’re applying for a licence:
- Disclose what the form asks for – even if you’re worried
- Avoid hiding convictions, cautions, or relevant motoring offences
Failure to provide information without good reason may be taken into account and could itself harm your application.
3. Explain context and show change
If there are issues on your record:
- Prepare a short, factual explanation of what happened
- Emphasise how long ago it was and how your life has changed
- Provide references from employers or community figures where possible
Authorities will consider subsequent periods of good behaviour when deciding whether you are fit and proper.
If Your PCO Application Is Refused
If your application for a PCO or other taxi/private hire licence is refused because you’re not considered a fit and proper person, you may be able to appeal to the magistrates’ court, normally within a set time limit such as 21 days.
- Check the decision letter carefully
- Consider getting legal advice before appealing
- Be realistic: very serious or recent offences may not be overcome quickly
Again, nothing can guarantee a different outcome, but you are entitled to a fair process.
Source: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Criminal Convictions Policy – Braintree District Council
Key Takeaways
- A criminal record does not always stop you becoming a private hire or taxi driver
- Licensing authorities must protect the public and assess whether you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence
- Serious violence, sexual offences and safeguarding issues are very likely to block an application
- Points on your driving licence and some other convictions may be acceptable, depending on what they are and how old they are
- Being open, prepared and realistic gives you the best chance of a fair decision
If you’re unsure, it’s usually worth speaking to the licensing authority before spending money on tests and medicals, particularly if you know you have serious or multiple convictions.
Have you been accepted for a PCO licence and want a PCO car for hire?
Here at Rapid PCO we are a Professional PCO rental service designed to help you maximise your earnings with minimal hassle.
Our benefits include:
- Same-day collection so you can start earning quickly
- Comprehensive insurance included
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If you are looking for your next PCO rental, you can browse our site here, or call us on 01732 280578 to find a vehicle that suits your work pattern.
