Uber driver takes TfL to court over licence renewal delays that left him unable to work

An Uber driver who fell into severe debt and feared losing his home after Transport for London (TfL) failed to renew his private hire licence on time has launched a landmark High Court challenge against the regulator.

Julius Mugabo, 55, has been licensed by TfL since 2016. His routine renewal application at the end of last year became mired in delays, with TfL repeatedly requesting documents he said had already been supplied. His licence expired in March 2026, leaving him unable to work lawfully for months. He told The Guardian the disruption caused “pain” for his family, with debts escalating and his landlord threatening eviction.

Under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, minicab drivers cannot work unless TfL has issued or renewed their licence. Unlike other licensing regimes, the law does not automatically extend a licence while a renewal is pending. There are around 100,000 private hire drivers in London, and almost 18,000 have received “goodwill” payments of £300–£500 due to renewal delays, according to FOI data cited in the report.

In granting permission for a full judicial review, Mr Justice Sweeting said the delays had “immediate and serious consequences” for Mugabo and his family, and accepted that TfL’s handling of the application “did not meet its usual standards”. The case will examine whether TfL has a legal duty to process renewal applications before licences expire when drivers apply in good time.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents private hire drivers, said Mugabo’s experience reflects a wider pattern, with many members reporting lost income, mounting debts and even vehicle repossessions due to prolonged renewal delays.