Transport for London has made the Pedicab Drivers (London) Regulations 2026 under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024, establishing the first statutory licensing regime for pedicab drivers in Greater London. City Hall confirmed the regulatory step on 18 February 2026. (legislation.gov.uk)
The Regulations stage implementation. Provisions enabling applications commence on 9 March 2026, with the offence of driving a pedicab without a London pedicab driver’s licence taking effect on 30 October 2026 to allow a transition for compliance. (holba.london)
From 30 October 2026 no pedicab may be used in a public place in Greater London unless the driver holds a London pedicab driver’s licence. Both the driver and the operator commit an offence if a vehicle is used without a licensed driver, with a due‑diligence defence available to operators who can show they took all reasonable steps to prevent the breach.
Any person may apply for a London pedicab driver’s licence. Licences are normally granted for one year, though Transport for London (TfL) may set a shorter period. Applications must be in the form TfL requires, accompanied by the prescribed fee, and supported by any further information TfL reasonably requests. TfL may decline to proceed until the fee is paid. Fees are set separately in the Pedicabs (London) (Fares and Fees) Regulations 2026.
Licensed drivers face clear on‑street obligations. When driving or plying for hire, a driver must carry their licence and present it on request to a police constable or authorised officer. The licence remains TfL’s property and must be returned within seven days of expiry, suspension or revocation when directed. Drivers must also make available the TfL passenger information card and comply with the fares requirements made under separate regulations.
Public liability insurance is mandatory. A driver must maintain cover providing a minimum indemnity of £5,000,000 per incident, carry the valid certificate while working and present it on request. Failure to insure, or to produce the certificate when asked, is a summary offence carrying a level 4 penalty on the standard scale.
TfL may issue an official form of identification to each licensed driver. The ID must be worn in the manner and position specified in TfL’s London pedicab driver handbook so it is plainly visible. Failure to wear, or to return, the ID when requested by TfL is a summary offence; a replacement charge may be levied for lost items.
Licences can carry conditions and TfL may add, vary, suspend or revoke conditions during the life of the licence with notice, including immediate effect where justified. Conditions may cover further approvals, equipment use, record‑keeping and returns, and restrictions on operating, standing or plying for hire at specified times, days or areas. Breach of a licence condition without reasonable excuse is a level 4 offence.
Advertising rules apply. Any advertisement indicating a pedicab can be hired must not use “taxi”, “taxis”, “cab” or “cabs”, or words so closely resembling them as to mislead. Use of “pedicab” (including variants such as “pedi‑cab”) is permitted. Publishers have a statutory defence where they acted in the ordinary course of business without knowledge that an offence would be committed.
Eligibility is framed around age, competence and immigration status. Applicants must be at least 18, hold a valid DVSA theory test certificate or be authorised to drive a motor car or motor cycle, be a fit and proper person, and not be disqualified by their immigration status. Where an applicant has limited leave to remain, any licence must expire no later than the end of that leave, or be limited to six months if leave is extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. A licence ceases if the holder subsequently becomes disqualified by immigration status and must then be returned within seven days.
Medical fitness is required to Group 2 standards. TfL may require a certificate of fitness signed by a registered medical practitioner and, where necessary, arrange a medical examination with a practitioner selected by TfL. The benchmark is the DVLA Group 2 medical standard applied to bus and lorry drivers. (haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk)
Safety, equality and regulatory understanding is tested. Applicants must complete a TfL assessment on obligations under these Regulations, relevant enactments including the Equality Act 2010, safeguarding, and passenger and road safety. In addition, applicants must meet the English language requirement at or above B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, demonstrated through speaking, listening, reading and writing tests. Exemptions apply where TfL is already satisfied through an existing London taxi or PHV driver licence.
Enhanced criminality checks are mandated. Applicants must undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check via TfL’s service provider and, once licensed, maintain a continuous subscription to the DBS Update Service or provide further certificates when requested. Applicants who have lived outside the UK for three or more continuous months within the previous ten years must provide a Certificate of Good Conduct, with defined exceptions for those granted or seeking asylum or refugee status. (haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk)
TfL holds strong compliance powers. A licence may be varied, suspended or revoked for breaches of terms or conditions, for providing false or misleading information, on criminality grounds, or on other relevant public‑safety grounds. Decisions normally take effect seven days after notice, but may take immediate effect if TfL states that public safety requires it. Obstructing an authorised officer, failing to comply with a lawful requirement, or knowingly giving false information are separate summary offences.
Most contraventions can be discharged through a fixed penalty. The Regulations establish a fixed‑penalty regime with a 28‑day payment window. TfL sets and publishes penalty amounts, taking into account the underlying maximum fines and reasonable administrative costs. Certain serious offences-driving without a licence, failing to insure, failing to carry proof of insurance and obstructing officers-are excluded from fixed penalties and proceed by prosecution.
TfL will maintain a public register of licences showing the licence number, holder’s name, grant date and expiry date, and any other particulars TfL considers appropriate. A supplementary register of addresses may be held but disclosed only where TfL is satisfied the requester has sufficient reason.
There is a two‑stage challenge route. A person may ask TfL to reconsider a decision within 28 days, and may then appeal to a magistrates’ court within 28 days of service of the decision notice. Certain immigration questions are out of scope of the court’s jurisdiction. Where a renewal is pending, an existing licence continues in force until the application-or any appeal about it-is decided, unless TfL directs immediate suspension in the interests of public safety.
For drivers and operators the planning window is now defined. Between 9 March and 30 October 2026 prospective drivers should secure the required DBS, book TfL’s English and safety assessments, arrange Group 2 medicals, and put £5m public liability insurance in place. Operators should verify driver credentials, update advertising to avoid restricted terms, and ensure systems are ready to supply passenger information and maintain the records TfL can request.
The policy intent behind this regime-fare transparency, safety and proportionate enforcement-was set by Parliament in 2024 and reinforced by City Hall. TfL’s consultation materials outline the driver, vehicle and operator standards that sit alongside these Regulations and explain the staged introduction, including the move to time‑based fare caps and a ban on externally amplified audio. (gov.uk)