London private hire
PCO car insurance for TfL-licensed drivers
PCO car insurance is private hire cover for vehicles and drivers licensed by Transport for London. The name comes from the old Public Carriage Office, and London has its own rules on vehicles.
- Online form
- Free to use
- No obligation
TfL-licensed private hirePCO car insurance explained
PCO car insurance is private hire insurance for a car licensed by TfL, driven by a TfL-licensed private hire driver. It covers pre-booked work through London operators and apps, and does not cover rank or street pick-ups.
London is the largest private hire market in England, with 93,300 licensed private hire vehicles on 1 April 2026[1].
London private hire in numbers
Sources: Department for Transport (13 August 2026) · Transport for London (11 November 2026) · Transport for London (11 November 2026). Full list at the bottom of this page.
London's vehicle rules and why they matter to insurers
Since 1 January 2023, every private hire vehicle licensed by TfL for the first time has to be zero emission capable and meet Euro 6[3]. Vehicles already licensed can be relicensed until they are 10 years old. In practice, most PCO cars now on the road are hybrids, plug-in hybrids or fully electric.
That affects insurance. Hybrid and electric cars carry batteries and sensors that cost more to repair, and some insurers ask about where and how you charge. The electric taxi insurance guide covers the questions to expect.
Getting licensed and insured in London
To apply for a TfL private hire driver licence you need to be at least 21, have held a full driving licence for three years, pass an enhanced DBS check, meet the Group 2 medical standard and pass the SERU and topographical assessments[2]. TfL's own guidance lists hire and reward insurance as one of the costs to plan for before applying.
Your vehicle also needs a TfL private hire vehicle licence, and the insurance certificate has to cover private hire use. Apps such as Uber and Bolt check that the name, registration and vehicle details match across every document.
Driving in London: points insurers look at
- the boroughs you work in most, and whether you do airport runs
- annual mileage, which tends to be high for full-time app drivers
- where the car is parked overnight
- whether the car is owned, financed or rented
- how long you have held your TfL licence
If you are new to the trade, the page for newly licensed taxi drivers explains how insurers treat drivers without a taxi claims history.
What insurers look at
What affects the price of PCO car insurance
Every insurer weighs these differently, which is why quotes for the same driver and car can vary.
- Borough and postcodeWhere the car is kept and worked in London.
- VehicleHybrid or electric, value and repair costs.
- MileageFull-time app work adds up quickly.
- ExperienceYears with a TfL licence and taxi no claims bonus.
- Apps and operatorsThe mix of work you take.
- OwnershipOwned, financed or rented with insurance included.
FAQs
PCO car insurance questions
What is PCO car insurance?
It is private hire insurance for a vehicle and driver licensed by Transport for London. PCO refers to the Public Carriage Office, which used to license London taxis and private hire.
Do PCO cars have to be electric?
Vehicles licensed by TfL for the first time since 1 January 2023 must be zero emission capable, which includes many hybrids as well as fully electric cars.
How old do I need to be for PCO insurance?
TfL's minimum age for a private hire driver licence is 21. Some insurers set their own higher minimum ages, so it is worth asking the broker.
Does PCO insurance cover Uber and Bolt?
Yes, private hire cover on the certificate is what the apps look for. Make sure the name and vehicle details match your other documents.
Can I get PCO car insurance online?
Yes. Have your TfL private hire driver licence number, the vehicle licence (if the car is already plated) and the car's registration ready, then start the form. MyMoneyComparison.com can put you in touch with brokers who place London PHV cover.
Sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below. Each was checked on 11 November 2026; figures may change when a source is updated.
- Department for Transport, Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026, published 13 August 2026.
- Transport for London, Apply for a private hire driver licence, accessed 11 November 2026.
- Transport for London, Emissions standards for PHVs, accessed 11 November 2026.
Ready for a PCO car insurance quote?
One online form, specialist taxi brokers, no obligation.
CoverMyTaxi is a trading style of Mymoneycomparison.com Ltd. It is an information website and is not an insurer or an insurance broker. Quotes are provided through MyMoneyComparison.com and the brokers it works with, subject to insurers' acceptance criteria.