PCO Driver News

The Department for Transport recently launched a consultation on proposed changes to the MOT testing system to make it more suitable for modern vehicles. This article discusses some of the proposed changes and how they will affect Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs).

One of the proposed changes is to extend the requirement for the first MOT from 3 years to 4 years. This means that new cars will need to undergo their first MOT 4 years after registration instead of the current 3 years. This change is expected to be welcomed by PHV drivers as it saves them money and reduces the number of things they need to remember. However, considering that PHV vehicles spend more time on the road, it remains to be seen if Transport for London (TfL) will impose different rules for PHV drivers.

Another proposed change is to have an MOT every 2 years instead of annually. While this is seen as a cost-saving measure for drivers, the current TfL rule for PHVs requires 2 MOTs per year. It will be interesting to see if licensed vehicles will only need one yearly check and non-licensed vehicles will move to an MOT every 2 years. The Department for Transport suggests this change due to the improved safety of newer vehicles.

The Department for Transport has also agreed to include live vehicle manufacturer recall updates as part of the MOT process. This means that when a PHV is taken for an MOT, drivers will receive information about any vehicle manufacturer recalls as an advisory. It is important to note that failing the MOT due to these advisories will not occur, but TfL also sends reminders to drivers regarding manufacturer recalls, and failure to address them may result in the suspension of the private hire vehicle license.

Additionally, the Department for Transport is considering adding an EV battery check to the MOT process, given the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road. Since TfL only licenses zero-emission vehicles, more PHV drivers will own electric vehicles, making this check necessary.

Similar changes have been implemented by other EU countries, and it is important to update the MOT testing system to keep up with the rapidly advancing technology of modern vehicles. These changes by the Department for Transport will directly impact private hire vehicles, and updates will be provided once the consultation results are reviewed and the official changes are announced.

If you have received a letter along with your TfL Private Hire Drivers Licence that mentions the conditions TA1, TA2, TA3, or TA4, you may be wondering what they mean. These conditions are part of the Transitional Arrangements (TA) put in place by TfL regarding the English language requirement for private hire drivers. The English language requirement was changed from a B1 English test or evidence of existing qualifications to the new SERU assessment and Speaking & Listening test with TfL. There are four transitional arrangements set by TfL for private hire driver applicants, and I will explain each one to help you understand how they affect your licence.

TA1 applies to existing private hire drivers in London who did not provide any evidence for the English language requirement by September 30, 2021. If you fall into TA1, you have until September 30, 2023, to take and pass the SERU assessment and English speaking and listening test.

TA2 applies to drivers who did provide evidence for the English language requirement by September 30, 2021. If you fall into TA2, TfL is still reviewing your evidence, and it can have two outcomes. If your evidence is satisfactory, you won’t need to take the Speaking & Listening test, but you will still need to complete the SERU assessment by March 31, 2025. If your evidence is unsatisfactory, you will need to take and pass both the English language speaking and listening test and the SERU assessment by September 30, 2024. This requirement may be listed as a condition on your private hire driver’s licence.

TA3 applies to drivers who applied for their private hire licence on or after October 1, 2021. If you fall into TA3, it means you have not taken any English language requirement tests, and you will need to complete both the SERU assessment and English language speaking and listening test by September 30, 2024. It’s important to note that TA3 only applies to drivers who applied between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023. Drivers who applied from April 1, 2023, onwards are required to take and pass both the SERU assessment and English language speaking and listening test before being licensed.

TA4 applies to drivers who applied for their Private Hire Drivers licence after April 1, 2023. If you fall under TA4, you must take and pass both the SERU assessment and English Speaking and Listening test before being issued your private hire driver’s licence by TfL.

It is important that you comprehend the transitional arrangements that apply to you in order to ensure that all necessary tests are finished before the specified date. Failing to complete the SERU assessment or the English language speaking and listening test may lead to the revocation of your private hire licence.

The upcoming transitional arrangement deadline is September 30, 2023. If you are a current driver who has not provided any evidence for the English language requirement, TfL will invite you to attend the SERU assessment and English language speaking and listening test.