Medical Fitness

Medical Fitnesss | Specific Medical Conditions | Disabilities

TfL needs to be satisfied that all licensed London Taxi and Private Hire drivers are medically fit. In assessing an individual’s medical fitness, TfL applies the standards required for a DVLA Group 2 licence.

Group 2 licences are required for large goods vehicles and buses and the medical standards for Group 2 drivers are much higher than those for Group 1 (ordinary motor cars and motor cycles). This higher standard requirement reflects the view that the nature of a licensed driver’s employment places him in the category of vocational driver.

The Medical Declaration form (TPH/204) should be taken to a registered medical practitioner, who has access to your full medical history, typically your GP, for completion. If it is not completed by someone who has access to your full medical history, this could lead to delays in processing your application.

This medical report cannot be issued free of charge as part of the National Health Service. You must pay the medical practitioner’s fee, unless other arrangements have been made. TfL accepts no liability to pay it.

What does the medical examination involve?

You should bring the PHV/204 form, with the first section already filled in by you, to your GP appointment. You will be required to give a urine sample as they will be testing for diabetes. The examination will only take around 30 minutes and you will be asked questions about the following topics

  • cardiovascular
  • endocrine system
  • musculoskeletal
  • neurological
  • psychiatric
  • vision

Based on your answers and the results of the tests the doctor will give his opinion as to whether you satisfy the DVLA Group 2 medical standards and he will complete the remainder of the PHV/204 form, sign it, and put their surgery stamp on it. You will then need to send this form back with your PCO licence application.

Exemptions from Medical Declaration

1) If you possess a valid DVLA Group 2 licence or are actively studying the Knowledge (and under 45 years of age), or already licensed by TfL as a MHC (‘taxi’) driver, you do not need to submit a completed Medical Declaration as you are deemed ‘exempt’.

2) Some professions require an in-depth medical to be undertaken (e.g. pilot’s licence). Medical advice has been sought and confirmation received that the standard of medical fitness required by the Civil Aviation Authority meets the requirements of the TPH and as such TfL has agreed to grant the exemption. To retain the exemption the applicant in question will have to continue to produce a valid, current pilot’s licence issued by the Joint Aviation Authorities whenever TfL requests a further medical.

Should an applicant suggest that a particular licence they hold is at least equivalent to TfL’s medical requirements of licensing they should be referred to TPH’s medical adviser for advice.

3) After 1 January 1998, any driver who holds a DVLA Group 2 full or provisional licence would have already had a medical prior to being granted this entitlement. This entitlement will be shown on the driver’s DVLA driving licence. Any drivers who have this entitlement after 1 January 1998 will not have to complete a Medical Declaration.

Medical requirements for applicants aged 45 and aged 65 and over.

If you are aged 45 or over and you are completing an new application for a PCO-Licence (or even in the case of a PCO-Licence renewal), you must undergo a medical examination (Form TPH/204 must be completed). A medical examination will need to be undertaken at each subsequent renewal of your licence between the age of 45 up to the age of 65.

If you are age 65 or over you will also (as a condition of licence issue) be required to undergo annual medical examinations, during the currency of your licence.

​​DVLA Group 2 Medical Standards Changes in Standard of Visual Acuity.

​Earlier this year (2 April 2013) the DVLA revised the visual acuity standard for holders of Group 2 licences.

The new standard is as follows:

  • A visual acuity, using corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 6/7.5 in the better eye and at least 6/60 in the other eye. Where glasses are worn to meet the minimum standards, they should have a corrective power of less than or equal to +8 dioptres. There is no uncorrected requirement.
  • It is also necessary for all drivers of Group 2 vehicles to be able to meet the prescribed and relevant Group 1 visual acuity requirements.

In assessing whether an applicant for a PHV driver’s licence is medically fit, TfL has regard to the medical standard that would apply in relation to a DVLA Group 2 licence. Therefore any applicant applying for a taxi or PHV driver’s licence after 31 October 2012 will be required to meet the new Group 2 standard.

Drivers who were originally licensed under lower standards are allowed to retain these entitlements under ‘grandfather rights’. The standard applied is determined by the date a PHV driver was first licensed.

Retaining this entitlement is dependent on:

  • The driver remaining continuously licensed since he or she was first licensed;
  • There being no significant deterioration in any other aspects of the driver’s vision;
  • The driver not having been involved in an accident in the preceding 10 years, in which their eyesight might have been a factor; and
  • The driver meeting all of the current Group 1 acuity standards.

The Group 2 standards are set out in full in the DVLA publication ‘At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive’ that can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/dvla