TFL faces legal lawsuits for Uber drivers over delays in license renewal
The London Transport Company (TFL) faces legal lawsuits from the Independent Workers Union of Britain (IWGB), which represents thousands of privately hired drivers, including those working for Uber, as it claims it was a systematic failure in the driver’s license renewal process that prevented drivers from working for months.
The union accused TFL of failing to issue or renew the license in a timely manner for breach of its legal obligations, which harmed the livelihood of privately employed drivers. IWGB has issued a former legal letter and is litigating to deal with the “unprecedented crisis” facing the capital’s Minicab workforce.
TFL licenses over 108,000 privately hired drivers, many rely on continuous licensing to operate legally in cities. Although TFL apologized for the delay and introduced short-term fixes such as temporary licensing and other staffing, the IWGB said these measures were insufficient.
According to the union, the driver reported several months of waiting time even if the application was submitted before the expiration date. A driver, Raifu Akanmu, applied for a renewal license in January but was unable to work after he allowed his license in late May. “I used up my money to pay the bill,” he said. “All we have to do is work.”
Some drivers say the delay has put them in serious financial difficulties with recovered vehicles and even homelessness. In a tragic case, driver Robert Dale, 65, died of a heart attack while awaiting his license renewal last November. His family believed the stress of not being able to work led to his death.
“Many drivers working for Uber have died. We are launching this legal challenge because we need systematic changes to prevent further harm,” said IWGB President Alex Marshall.
The union argues that TFL has a responsibility to ensure continuity of permits, and the current backlog equals the illegal failure of this duty. The legal case was filed by human rights law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn. “TFL cannot run illegal systems by ensuring continuity of permits. Any authority that deprives them of their livelihoods is not suitable for purpose,” said attorney Ahmed Aydeed.
TFL said it recognizes the difficulties faced by drivers and is taking steps to address the backlog. “We regret drivers who have problems with handling time. We have taken urgent measures to mitigate the impact, including recruiting and training more staff and issuing temporary permits where appropriate,” a spokesperson said.
Despite these efforts, IWGB said thousands of people still cannot make a living, and this accountability system is long overdue. Legal challenges are designed to ensure structural reforms prevent future delays and ensure drivers’ ability to work is protected.
The case marks a critical moment in London’s private rental industry, which could support how licensing authorities can under pressure to support workers in the gig economy.
