A judge has ruled that Transport for London (TfL) acted unlawfully by delaying a decision on an Uber driver's licence renewal, a case that could have wider implications for thousands of private hire drivers.
Background to the dispute
The driver, who had held a private hire licence for several years, applied for renewal in good time. TfL, however, took months longer than the statutory period to process the application, leaving the driver unable to work and without income.
During the delay, the driver lost earnings and faced significant financial hardship. The court heard that the prolonged wait also caused reputational damage, as the driver had to cancel booked journeys and explain the situation to customers.
The court's ruling
Judge Timothy Straker QC found that TfL had breached its duty to make a decision within a reasonable time. He stated that the delay was "unlawful" and that the driver had suffered "real and substantial" prejudice as a result.
The ruling is significant because it establishes that TfL cannot indefinitely postpone licence renewal decisions without proper justification. The court ordered TfL to pay the driver's legal costs.
Implications for other drivers
This judgment may affect other Uber and private hire drivers who have experienced similar delays in licence renewals. Legal experts suggest that affected drivers could seek compensation or challenge TfL's processing times.
TfL has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the decision. The ruling comes amid ongoing scrutiny of TfL's handling of private hire licensing, which has faced criticism from drivers and industry groups.
