PCO licensed drivers you can trust

The checks a driver passes before getting a licence

A PCO licence is not a formality. Before TfL grants one, an applicant has to clear several stages:

• Enhanced DBS check. This is the highest level of criminal record check in England and Wales, the same level used for people who work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Medical assessment. Drivers must meet a professional driving medical standard, checked by a doctor.
• Driving experience. Applicants must be at least 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least three years.
• Topographical skills assessment. This tests map reading and route planning around London.
• Safety, equality and regulatory understanding. Drivers must show they understand passenger safety, equality law and the rules they work under, including the duty to carry assistance dogs.
• English language requirement. Drivers must show they can communicate clearly with passengers.

A licence lasts up to three years. To renew it, the driver goes through the checks again, and TfL can suspend or revoke a licence at any time if concerns are raised.

Licensed vehicles, too

The car matters as much as the driver. Every private hire vehicle in London must pass a TfL inspection before it is licensed, and it is inspected regularly after that. Licensed vehicles display TfL licence discs on the front and rear windows, and they must carry valid hire-and-reward insurance. Each of our cars, including the larger 6 seater taxi, is licensed in its own right.

Why pre-booking matters

Private hire cars cannot be hailed in the street or pick up passengers who flag them down. Every journey must be booked through a licensed operator, which records who booked, who is travelling, the pick-up time, the route and which driver and vehicle were sent. That record means every trip in one of our cars can be traced. Never get into a car that approaches you offering a ride, even if it looks like a minicab.

The school run: what parents should know

The school run taxi is the service where licensing matters most to our customers, and it is the one parents ask us about most. Handing your child to a driver takes trust, and we take that seriously.

Every driver who does a school run with us holds a full PCO licence. That means they have passed the enhanced DBS check and every other stage described above. On top of the licensing rules, this is how we run school journeys:

• Consistent drivers where possible. Children settle best with a familiar face, so we try to keep the same driver on a regular run. If a different driver is coming, we tell you in advance.
• Clear handover arrangements. At the start of term, we agree with you who the child is handed to at school and at home, and what happens if nobody is there.
• Child seats on request. Tell us each child's age and weight, and we will fit the right seat before the car arrives.
• An office that is always open. We work 24 hours a day, so there is always someone to call if a pick-up changes.

How to check your driver and car

Every time you travel, it takes a few seconds to check you are getting into the right car:

• Check that the driver's name, the car's make and model, and the registration match your booking confirmation.
• Look for the TfL licence discs on the windscreen and rear window.
• Licensed drivers must carry their TfL private hire driver ID badge and show it when asked.
• If anything does not match, do not get in. Call us straight away on 020 3740 5346.

You can also check any driver or vehicle licence on the TfL website, using the licence number.

Questions or concerns

If you have a concern about a driver or a journey, call us or email info@norbitoncars.co.uk with the date and time of your trip. You can also report concerns directly to TfL. More about who we are is on our about us page, and answers to common booking questions are on our FAQ page.