27 Aug TfL Taken to Court Over Systemic Licensing Failures That Leave Drivers Unable to Work
DPG has issued judicial review proceedings on behalf of private hire driver Julius Mugabo, challenging Transport for London’s (TfL) repeated failure to renew drivers’ licences on time.
TfL has, for many months, consistently failed to renew private hire drivers’ licences before they expired, effectively preventing them from working and placing them at real risk of destitution. Since at least the summer of 2024, thousands of drivers many of whom rely on this licence as their sole source of income have found themselves locked out of work, often for prolonged periods despite applying well in advance of expiry. The consequences have been profound. Numerous drivers have reported losing their homes, having vehicles repossessed, and enduring serious deterioration in both their mental and physical health as a direct result of living without income. Reports indicate that as of June 2025, around 480 drivers were awaiting re‑licensing, with a further 1,400 cases stalled due to TfL awaiting additional information a backlog that continues to devastate lives and livelihoods.
Mr Mugabo, who has held a private hire licence since 2016, applied well in advance of his licence expiry in March 2025. Despite submitting all required documentation and following TfL’s own processes, TfL failed to renew his licence prior to the expiry of his existing licence, leaving him unable to work.
During this period, Mr Mugabo has sent repeated chasers, complaints, and requests for updates. He has resubmitted documents already provided, asked for a short-term licence, and highlighted the mounting hardship caused by being locked out of work through no fault of his own. Yet TfL has either failed to respond or issued inconsistent and contradictory requests. The consequences have been severe, with serious impacts on his health, home life, and ability to provide for his partner and four children.
Despite these pressures, Mr Mugabo has determinedly persisted in pursuing this legal challenge, not only to secure his own livelihood but also to stand up for the thousands of other drivers who have faced similar treatment. Evidence filed by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) shows that hundreds of private hire drivers have been left unable to work because of the same systemic failings. Licences have expired despite renewal applications being made in good time, documents have been repeatedly requested after already being supplied, and short-term licences promised by TfL have simply not materialised. For many drivers, the results have been devastating, including the loss of homes, vehicles, and serious harm to their health and family stability.
The judicial review argues that TfL’s conduct is unlawful. Under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, the authority is under a duty to issue licences to drivers who meet the statutory criteria. By failing to act in Mr Mugabo’s case, TfL has breached this statutory obligation. The claim also argues that TfL has breached its own published policy, which promises to issue new licences before expiry where applications are submitted in good time, creating a legitimate expectation that drivers will not be left without the ability to work. Finally, the case raises serious human rights concerns: TfL’s failures have interfered with Mr Mugabo’s right to respect for his family life and his ability to earn a living.
IWGB have been supporting Mr Mugabo throughout his case and backing this judicial review as part of its wider campaign to hold TfL to account for systemic licensing failures.
Alex Marshall, IWGB President, says: “This unprecedented legal battle against TfL, which won’t end until we have secured accountability, compensation, and meaningful systemic change. Instead of despairing as TfL took a bulldozer to their lives, IWGB drivers stood up, supported each other, organised protests, and put so much pressure on TfL that we achieved significant wins. Whether on the streets or in the courts, we have proved that we are a union that does whatever it takes to win justice. The bravery shown by Julius and every driver who has given their time and energy to this fight should serve as an inspiration to all those working in the sector.”
Ralitsa Peykova, solicitor at DPG, said:
“Julius’s case is representative of a wider, deeply troubling systemic failure at TfL. Drivers are being left without the ability to work simply because their licences aren’t renewed on time. These are people with families to support, bills to pay, and lives that depend on being able to earn a living. The consequences have been devastating. This legal challenge isn’t just about securing urgent relief for Julius, it’s about pushing for a system that works to prevent thousands of others from being put in the same impossible position.”
Mr Mugabo is represented by Ahmed Aydeed, Ralitsa Peykova, Natalie Hawes and Megan Hovvels at DPG, and Jason Coppel KC and Oliver Jackson of 11KBW.
For more on this story, see coverage by the Morning Star and the IWGB below:
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