Skip to main content

Transport for London rejects Uber operation license

Transport for London (TfL) has rejected Uber London’s application for a new private hire operator license. The move follows a review and a joint petition between global consumer group SumOfUs and GMB union. TfL concluded that Uber is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license and shows a lack of responsibility in conduct.
September 22, 2017 Read time: 1 min

1466 Transport for London (TfL) has rejected 8336 Uber London’s application for a new private hire operator license. The move follows a review and a joint petition between global consumer group SumOfUs and GMB union.

TfL concluded that Uber is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license and shows a lack of responsibility in conduct. The main issues include potential public safety and security implications such as the company’s procedures for reporting serious criminal offences, how medical certificates are obtained and its approach to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks.

The 106,000-signature petition called for TfL to guarantee drivers’ rights and to protect the public from unsafe working practices. Uber is likely to appeal the decision and  can continue to operate until any appeal processes have been exhausted.

Related Content

  • CILT urges policy review for London Mayor’s transport strategy
    October 4, 2017
    The Mayor of London’s Draft Transport Strategy (DMTS) lacks realism and risks unintended consequences, according to a report from the Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). Proposals on bus priority require a fundamental review as speeds on a third of London’s bus routes have fallen more than 5% in the past year, including a reallocation of road space, construction works (with resulting congestion) and an increase in the volume of private hire and van traffic. CILT calls for bus corridors
  • Authorities select enforce now, pay later option
    October 19, 2015
    Outsouring of enforcement services is on the increase internationally as highway and traffic authorities seek further support in resources and expertise from the private sector. Jon Masters reports. Signs of a significant company making moves into a new market can usually be read as indication of likely growth in that particular sector. Q-Free’s expansion from tolling operations into general traffic enforcement could be viewed as surprising as it is moving into what are relatively mature and consolidating m
  • Big data and GPS combine to cut emergency response times
    April 2, 2014
    David Crawford looks at technologies for better emergency medical service delivery. Emergency medical services (EMS) play key roles in transporting, or bringing treatment to, patients who become ill through medical emergencies or are injured in road traffic accidents (RTAs). But awareness has been rising steadily, in the US and elsewhere, of the extent to which EMS can generate their own emergencies. The most common cause is vehicles causing or becoming involved in RTAs, as a result of driving fast under pr
  • San Diego: Let there be (street)light
    March 30, 2020
    The influence of intelligent streetlights is spreading. David Crawford finds that San Diego’s deployment – and attendant legislation – may offer a blueprint for other cities going forward