If you are applying for a PCO vehicle licence in London, the TfL vehicle inspection is a key step before your car can be licensed as a private hire vehicle (PHV). Drivers often refer to the inspection as a PCO test or PCO vehicle test, while TfL officially refers to the vehicle as a PHV.
The inspection checks far more than whether your car has a valid MOT. TfL assesses the vehicle against its private hire licensing standards, including its documentation, condition, safety equipment, tyres, bodywork, interior, signage, and other requirements. If the vehicle fails, TfL issues a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) explaining the reasons for the failure.
That means preparing your car before the appointment is worthwhile. This PCO vehicle inspection checklist explains what to check before you arrive, which documents you need, and some of the issues that can lead to an unsuccessful inspection.
What Does TfL Check During a PCO Vehicle Inspection?
TfL’s current Vehicle Licensing Inspection Manual, Version 20, was published in March 2026. It provides the inspection standards used for London taxis and private hire vehicles.
For PHVs, the inspection covers areas including documentation, the vehicle’s interior, lights, engine compartment, bodywork, tyres and wheels, underside, equipment, number plates, and mandatory signage.
Your vehicle should therefore be treated as a complete package rather than simply a car that has passed its MOT.
Before your inspection, check:
- Your documents are complete and consistent
- Your MOT meets the applicable TfL timing requirement
- Your insurance is valid for hire and reward
- Your tyres are safe and correctly specified
- Your lights, controls, and safety equipment work correctly
- Your interior and exterior are clean and properly maintained
- Your doors, windows and seat belts operate correctly
- Your vehicle identification details match your documentation
- Any modifications have the required approval or documentation
- TfL licence identifiers and mandatory signage meet the applicable requirements
PCO Vehicle Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before You Go
Use the following checklist as a final preparation guide. It is not a replacement for TfL’s full inspection manual, but it can help you identify obvious problems before your appointment.
PCO Vehicle Licence Documents
Getting your paperwork right is just as important as presenting a well-maintained car.
For the licensing inspection, TfL’s guidance requires the person presenting the PHV to bring the relevant original documents, including:
- V5C or applicable AFRL certificate
- Certificate of Insurance
- MOT certificate, where required
- Existing PHV licence and plates, where applicable
- Emission equipment documentation, where applicable
- Modification/approval documentation, where applicable
TfL also checks vehicle information against the documentation presented, so make sure the registration number, VIN, and other details correspond.
Make Sure Your MOT Is Within the Required Time
One of the most important TfL PCO vehicle licence requirements concerns the MOT.
For vehicles that require an MOT at the licensing inspection, TfL states that the MOT certificate must confirm that the vehicle passed an MOT not more than 14 days before the licensing inspection.
For vehicles more than 12 months old, TfL’s licensing requirements also include a second MOT during the licence period, generally six months after the licence is granted. Do not assume that an otherwise valid MOT is automatically sufficient for your licensing appointment. Check the date carefully before booking or attending your inspection.
Check Your Insurance
Your insurance also needs to be appropriate for the vehicle’s use as a PHV.
Make sure you have the required hire-and-reward insurance documentation and that the vehicle details correspond with the car being presented.
Check:
- Registration number
- Policy or certificate details
- Validity dates
- Type of cover
- Any information required by TfL for the inspection
If you have recently changed vehicles or insurance providers, check the documentation before the appointment rather than discovering a discrepancy at the inspection centre.
Inspect Your Tyres and Wheels
Tyres are one of the easiest things to check yourself and one of the areas you should never overlook when preparing for a PCO vehicle inspection.
TfL’s inspection standards cover tyre size, speed, and weight ratings, tread, damage, and condition. The manual identifies issues including cuts, splits, exposed ply or cord, lumps, bulges, tears, excessive or uneven wear, and relevant wheel-rim damage.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central 75% of the tyre’s width and around the complete circumference, but the TfL inspection considers the wider condition and suitability of the tyre as well.
Check All Lights and Dashboard Warning Lamps
Before driving to your inspection, switch the vehicle on and check the headlights, number plate lights, and indicators. Pay attention to the horn, windscreen wipers, and washers. Do not ignore a warning lamp simply because the car appears to drive normally. If your dashboard is showing a warning that indicates a potential fault, have it investigated before the inspection.
Check the Doors, Windows, and Seat Belts
Your vehicle should allow passengers to enter, travel, and leave safely.
Check that every passenger door opens and closes properly from the appropriate side, locks securely, and has functioning handles and locks. Check child locks where fitted. Also ensure that the windows operate correctly and that there is no prohibited or non-compliant tint.
TfL’s inspection standards specify light-transmission requirements for the windscreen and front side windows, so do not assume that an aftermarket tint is acceptable simply because it has been fitted to the vehicle for some time.
Clean and Inspect the Interior
A PCO car needs to be presented in an appropriate condition for carrying passengers. TfL’s manual includes checks for cleanliness and the condition of interior fixtures and fittings. It also requires the luggage area to be suitable for carrying luggage and not unnecessarily cluttered.
A thorough clean before the inspection is therefore more than cosmetic preparation. It allows you to spot damaged upholstery, loose trim, stains, broken controls, and other problems that might otherwise be overlooked.
Check Your TfL Licence Identifiers and Signage
If your vehicle already has PHV licence identifiers, check that they are present, secure, legible, and correctly positioned.
You should also check for unauthorised stickers, signs, or advertising.
Do not simply remove or alter TfL identifiers yourself. The important point is to ensure that required signage and licence identifiers meet the applicable TfL requirements and that nothing on the vehicle prevents them from being displayed correctly.
Check the VIN and Vehicle Details
Your vehicle identification information should correspond with your documentation.
TfL’s inspection process includes checks relating to the VIN and vehicle identity. Problems with identification numbers, statutory plates, or discrepancies between the vehicle and its documentation can create licensing issues.
This is particularly important if the vehicle has recently:
- Changed ownership
- Been repaired
- Been modified
- Had significant bodywork
- Had other alterations carried out
If anything about the vehicle’s identity or history has changed, resolve the documentation position before the inspection where possible.
PCO Vehicle Licence Requirements: Is Your Car Eligible?
Passing the physical inspection is only one part of obtaining a PCO vehicle licence.
The vehicle must also meet the applicable TfL licensing and eligibility requirements. This can include requirements relating to the vehicle’s age, emissions, Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) status, vehicle specification, and other licensing conditions.
This is why choosing the right vehicle before starting the licensing process matters.
A car that is road-legal is not automatically a vehicle that qualifies for a London PHV licence.
If you are buying or leasing a vehicle specifically for private hire work, check the current TfL requirements before committing to the vehicle.
Need Help With Your PCO Vehicle Licence in East London?
Preparing a vehicle for a TfL inspection can be stressful, particularly if you are applying for your first PCO car licence and are unsure which parts of the process apply to your vehicle.
At PCO Licence East London, we help applicants with the wider PCO licensing process, including application paperwork, administration, and guidance on TfL requirements. Our centre is based at 758 High Road, Ilford, IG3 8SY, making it convenient for drivers in East London and surrounding areas.
If you are unsure about your PCO vehicle licence requirements, contact our team before your inspection so you can clarify the process and prepare your application properly.
Call PCO Licence East London on 0203 409 5264 or get in touch with the centre to discuss your PCO licensing requirements.
PCO Vehicle Inspection FAQs
Yes. A valid MOT does not automatically mean that a vehicle meets all TfL PHV licensing requirements. TfL’s licensing inspection applies its own standards covering areas such as vehicle condition, equipment, signage, documentation, and other licensing requirements.
Where an MOT is required at the licensing inspection, TfL states that the MOT certificate must confirm a pass not more than 14 days before the licensing inspection.
Check your documentation, MOT, insurance, tyres, lights, warning lamps, doors, windows, seat belts, interior, exterior bodywork, signage, vehicle identification, and any modifications. These checks can help you identify problems before the official inspection.
