Red Route Licence

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Taxi and Minicab / PHV drivers can be allowed to make drop offs and pickups on the majority of Red Routes, provided they display a sign that proves to CCTV and Police that they are licenced to make use of Red Routes.

You have to apply separately from your PCO-Licence, for a Red Route Sign. Your PCO operator will make this application on your behalf and will give it to you free of charge. Stopping or using a Red Route without a Sign will get you fined, and it can be as much as £130.  This is why it is very important that you own a Red Route Licence.

In addition, this will allow you to have a broader client base:

  • Being able to stop on red routes will particularly help vulnerable passengers, such as elderly and disabled people and anyone living on or near a red route by giving them a safer and more convenient option when booking a private hire vehicle
  • Licensed drivers who display a new ‘Private Hire’ roundel sign on the outside of their vehicle will be allowed to pick up and set down pre-booked passengers, but not park and wait, on red routes.

What Exactly Are Red Routes?

Red Routes are only 5% of London’s road network but they carry up to 35% of London’s traffic. These are routes where there are stopping restrictions (signalled with the red lines markings.

How Do I Apply For Red Routes Sign?

As previously stated, it is only a licensed operator who can apply for the special Red Routes sign. They will need to fill out the Red Routes application form and send it back on your behalf and send it to the address below.

Private Hire Red Route Team

Palestra
4th Floor Green Zone
197 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8NJ

If your PCO operator cannot post it to the address they can fax it to – 020 3054 5314

There is no limit to how many cars any PCO Operator can register in total for a red route badge, as long as all the cars are individually registered.

The rules connected to the red routes sign application state that any PCO operator can register a total of 36 cars.  However, if the operator’s company has a much larger fleet of taxicabs the Transport For London have made a Microsoft Excel version of the red routes application form that can be downloaded, completed and emailed directly to redroutesignage@tfl.gov.uk.

The Red Routes application form must include the following information:

  • Your PCO Operator’s Name
  • PCO Licence Number
  • Car Number plate registration for cars that are going to make use of the signs.

Where Should I Display My Red Routes Sign?

In order for your Red Routes signs to be seen properly, the stickers should be stuck to the outside of the glass.  One of your stickers should go on the front windscreen just below your PCO licence, while the other sticker should be placed on the bottom right side of the rear windscreen.  There is no need to worry about these stickers coming off because of the weather as once they are stuck down; they are very hard to remove.  However if the stickers are damaged, you need to ask your PCO operator to request another free set of stickers.