TfL faces legal action over minicab licence delays amid driver hardship

Transport for London (TfL) is under mounting pressure as the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) initiates legal proceedings over widespread delays in renewing private hire licences for drivers working with platforms such as Uber.

The union claims the licensing backlog has severely impacted the livelihoods of thousands of drivers, some of whom have faced financial hardship and personal loss. The legal challenge, described as “unprecedented,” centres on allegations that TfL has breached legal duties by failing to ensure timely licence renewals.

IWGB reports that a WhatsApp group of more than 1,000 affected drivers highlights the scale of the issue, though the true number experiencing delays remains unclear. With over 108,000 licensed private hire drivers in London—many of whom rely solely on income from driving—any disruption to licensing continuity can be economically devastating.

Drivers have cited incidents of homelessness, repossessed vehicles, and escalating stress due to income loss. The case of 65-year-old Robert Dale, who died from a heart attack while waiting for his licence renewal, has added urgency to the union’s campaign. His family believes that the prolonged delay and subsequent financial anxiety contributed to his death.

“I’ve run out of money to pay my bills,” said Uber driver Raifu Akanmu, whose renewal application from January remains unprocessed. “All we want to do is work.”

The IWGB has formally sent a pre-action letter to TfL, raising the possibility of legal violations in its licensing operations. Union president Alex Marshall stated: “I’ve seen so many lives decimated by this. The system isn’t just flawed—it’s actively harmful. We need systemic change.”

Drivers say wait times have spanned several months, with some reporting delays as long as eight months. “The licensing process is not fit for purpose,” said one driver, adding that the lack of legal protection makes this challenge a critical stand for fairness and accountability.

Ahmed Aydeed, solicitor at Deighton Pierce Glynn, which is representing IWGB, asserts that TfL’s current licensing practice is unlawful. “Stripping people of their livelihood is unacceptable. Public authorities must be held to higher standards.”

TfL has publicly apologised and acknowledged the distress caused to affected drivers. A spokesperson said the organisation had taken “urgent steps” to alleviate the backlog, including hiring more staff and issuing short-term licences “where appropriate.”

“We continue to take every possible step to rectify the delays quickly and ensure that all drivers who meet licensing requirements are licensed and able to work,” TfL said.