No doubt that using a PCO car is nowadays a preferable choice over the traditional cabs or outdated private taxi services. Good to know that only in the U.K., millions of people use PCO cars for their daily transportation, with 3.5 million users in London alone.
That’s why working as a PCO car driver is a great second job for those who look for earning some extra money. But entering this professional taxi sector and starting a side job as a PCO car driver comes with some requirements.
In this article, we try to explain in full detail the latest PCO car requirements. We really hope that if you follow us to the end of this content, you will get a good amount of information on the matter. So, stay with us, please.
What is a PCO car?
A PCO car is a four-door car or minivan that has a fuel consumption protocol of Euro 6 or a hybrid engine with Euro 4. The term PCO stands for the Public Carriage Office, which is a department in Transport for London (TfL). PCO cars must meet all of TfL’s personal transport requirements and have also an active Private Hire Vehicle License. The PHV license is proof that TfL has approved the car for private hire use.
What Car Can I Use For PCO Driving?
To be allowed to become a PCO car driver, your vehicle must meet the following PCO car requirements: First, it must have a Euro 6 petrol or diesel engine, or a Euro 4 petrol-hybrid engine. Second, it must be a four-door car and the doors must be opened independently. Third, the car must be in good condition without any damage to the environment.
And fourth, the car must not have any commercial branding on it. Good to mention here that you do not have to own the car you use for PCO driving. But it must have a valid PHV license and hire and reward insurance policy in place.
How to Become an Official PCO Driver?
After you made sure you have the car fit for becoming a PCO car driver, the other PCO car requirement is to have a PCO license. And to be eligible for a PCO license, you also need to meet some requirements. First of all, you need to be at least 21 years old. You also need to have a valid driving license that has been issued at least 3 years ago.
In other words, you need to show that you have at least 3 years of driving experience. To get a PCO license, you are also required to pass a valid Criminal Record Check or a (DBS) check, complete a medical examination, complete the Topographical Skills Assessment, and finally, take the English Language test.
What is the PCO License?
The PCO license, also known as the Private Hire Driver License, is a piece of document that allows you to work as a PCO driver. The PCO License is issued by the PCO (Public Carriage Office) and is valid for 3 years. Getting your PCO license is the most important step towards working a new career as a PCO car driver.
In the following lines, we explain the PCO car requirements for getting a PCO license.
What is a Criminal (DBS) Check?
The PCO DBS Check (CRB) is referred to examining your personal criminal records from several sources including the Police National Computer. This process will reveal everything about your past regarding any possible convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. The aim of this criminal check is for the PCO to make sure that you are safe and trustworthy and deserve to be licensed as a Private Hire or Chauffeur Driver.
What is the Medical Test?
Passing the medical test successfully I yet another PCO car requirement for getting a PCO license. In fact, you need to prove that you are medically healthy and fit for working as a PCO car driver. During the test, your reactions, coordination, memory, and so on will be assessed and evaluated.
What is the Topographical Assessment Test?
The Topographical Assessment test is done to ensure that you are able to locate places, as well as to plan routes as a PCO car driver. To put it simply, it’s a test that evaluates your ability in understanding how maps work, and if you can use a map to navigate between locations from one point to another.
What is the English Test?
Knowing English at least to a basic level is also a requirement for being able to get a PCO license. TfL requires applicants to pass ISE I (B1) and IELTS tests to show their English level. But if you already have a GCSE, an AS Level or A-levels, or a University Degree, then you are exempt from passing the language test.
How Much Does Getting the PCO License Cost?
The cost for the TfL application for the PCO license is £250 in the U.K. But that’s not the end of the story. You should also put aside some money for other expenses during the process of getting your PCO license. Other expenses include the DBS criminal record checks, English Language tests, Medical and Topographical tests, etc.
All in all, the total money you need to cover all the costs to get the PCO license is estimated to reach more than £700. But you should also keep in mind that except for the TfL application fee, the rest of the expenses can vary depending on your choice of provider. For example, some medical tests can cost more than others.
Conclusion
Working as a PCO car driver is getting more and more popular these days. This is because when you become a PCO driver, you are your own boss and can run your own schedule. As a PCO driver, it is you who choose when, where, and how much you like to work, which is a great advantage for a part-time job.
For these reasons and many more, it is important to know what the requirements for becoming a PCO car driver are. Therefore, we tried our best in the present article to provide you with a rather comprehensive guide on the topic of PCO car requirements.
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