A growing legal dispute over TfL minicab licence delays is unfolding as thousands of drivers challenge Transport for London for disrupting their livelihoods. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents private hire drivers, has accused TfL of mishandling licence renewals and causing financial hardship for many.
While TfL has publicly apologized, the union insists that the problems are not isolated. Instead, it argues that a broken system is consistently preventing drivers from working legally. Many affected drivers, especially those working with Uber, depend entirely on licence renewals to stay on the road.
Alex Marshall, president of IWGB, explained that over 1,000 drivers in a union-run WhatsApp group are currently stuck in the system. Because many live paycheck to paycheck, even brief licensing delays can have devastating consequences. Some have lost their homes or had their vehicles repossessed.
In one tragic case, Robert Dale, 65, died from a heart attack last November while waiting for his licence to be renewed. His family believes that the stress of being unable to work contributed to his death.
Raifu Akanmu, a veteran Uber driver, applied in January to renew his licence months before its expiry. Despite applying early, he still cannot work. His licence expired in May. “I’ve run out of money for bills,” he said. “I’ve driven for 17 years and never faced this. All we want is the chance to work.”
Another driver, Lee, said he waited eight months to receive his renewal. He expressed support for the legal action, stating, “This has to change. Drivers need accountability, and we won’t stay silent any longer.”
The union has issued a legal warning to TfL, asserting that the authority may have acted unlawfully by failing to ensure licensing continuity. Deighton Pierce Glynn Solicitors, leading the case, claim TfL’s licensing framework has failed those who rely on it. Lawyer Ahmed Aydeed stated, “A government body that blocks people from earning an honest living fails its purpose.”
Marshall added that most affected drivers work for Uber and face growing instability. He described seeing drivers evicted and their cars taken away. As a result, the union chose to litigate, aiming to force systematic change within TfL’s licensing approach.
TfL responded by expressing regret and outlined steps it had taken to improve the situation. The agency said it had hired and trained additional staff while also issuing temporary licences to reduce wait times. A spokesperson confirmed that TfL is working urgently to clear the backlog and ensure qualified drivers return to work.
The TfL minicab licence delays lawsuit now signals a turning point. For drivers pushed to the brink, this legal challenge represents not only a fight for justice but a demand to restore dignity and stability in their working lives.
READ: DoorDash Bids $3.6 Billion to Acquire Deliveroo in Major Expansion Move
