TfL-compliant replacement vehicles after a PCO accident: the 2026 guide

12 May 2026Easy Car Claims team7 min read

Bottom line: after a non-fault accident, we can provide a TfL-licensed replacement vehicle for the period your PCO car is reasonably off the road, with no upfront cost to you (on credit-hire terms, explained below). The replacement must be properly licensed and insured for private hire, or you can't take Uber/Bolt/FreeNow/Ola jobs in it. A standard courtesy car usually won't meet these requirements, which is why PCO drivers often use a specialist provider.

This guide covers what "TfL-compliant" means, how the hire charges are recovered, and the common mistakes that leave PCO drivers stuck with a loan car they can't use for work.

What "TfL-compliant" actually means

For a replacement vehicle to be used for Uber/Bolt/FreeNow/Ola work in London, it must meet all three of these:

Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence: issued by TfL, with licence discs displayed on the vehicle.
PHV insurance: the vehicle's motor insurance must specifically cover hire and reward (private hire) use. A standard "social, domestic & pleasure + commuting" policy does not cover PCO work, even for one trip.
Vehicle meets TfL's licensing requirements: TfL sets requirements for licensed private hire vehicles, including age and emissions standards, so not every car can be licensed. Check TfL's current requirements.

Since August 2023 the ULEZ has covered all London boroughs, so the vehicle should also be ULEZ-compliant (broadly Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol, including most hybrids, or electric), otherwise the daily ULEZ charge applies.

A standard courtesy car usually has no PHV licence or hire-and-reward insurance, so it can't be used for private hire work.

Why specialist providers exist

Specialist providers (we're one) keep PHV-licensed vehicles for this market. We hire them to PCO drivers under credit-hire agreements and claim the hire charges from the at-fault insurer. You sign the hire agreement, and you may be liable for the charges if they aren't recovered.

The at-fault insurer reviews the hire charges and the length of the hire, and may pay less than the full amount.

What the hire includes

Under a non-fault credit-hire arrangement, the hire typically includes:

Daily hire rate: set by us and quoted before you sign. Many insurers and hire companies agree rates under an industry agreement known as the GTA (General Terms of Agreement).
Insurance: our vehicles are insured under our own fleet policy for hire-and-reward use. You must meet our driver requirements; the hire agreement explains what happens if the vehicle is damaged.
Roadside assistance: included.
TfL licensing: already in place on the vehicle, no extra cost.
Delivery in London: usually included.

The replacement is usually yours from the day it's delivered until your own vehicle is repaired and returned to you or, for a write-off, for a reasonable period while you source a replacement.

No upfront cost, but only when the other driver was at fault

"No upfront cost" only applies when the other driver is fully or substantially at fault, because that's when the hire charges can be recovered from their insurer.

Non-fault: the hire charges are claimed from the at-fault driver's insurer. You pay nothing up front, though you remain liable under the hire agreement if they aren't recovered.
Shared fault: the at-fault insurer may only pay part of the hire. We tell you before you take the vehicle.
Fully at fault: we can provide hire as a paid job. Tell your insurer about the accident as your policy requires. Questions about your policy are for your insurer.
Uninsured (driver identified): the hire charges can be put to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), subject to its agreement. The process is usually slower.
Hit-and-run (driver untraced): where the other driver cannot be traced, the MIB often does not pay for vehicle damage or hire. Speak to us before taking a hire vehicle.

How long can you keep it?

As a rough guide, the hire runs while your vehicle is reasonably off the road:

Bumper or panel damage: often a repair window of a few weeks.
More serious damage (structural or chassis): can take several weeks longer.
Write-off: a reasonable period after the valuation to source a replacement vehicle. Insurers look closely at long periods.

If the at-fault insurer is slow to authorise repairs, the hire may continue during that delay. We record the reasons so the hire period is documented.

Common mistakes PCO drivers make

Assuming a courtesy car will do. Check whether any loan car is PHV-licensed and insured for hire and reward. Usually it isn't, so you can't use it for Uber.
Not telling us about another offer. The at-fault insurer may offer you its own replacement vehicle. Check whether it's TfL-licensed and insured for private hire, and tell us about the offer before taking a hire from us, as it can affect whether our hire charges are recovered.
Not confirming TfL compliance before driving. Check the vehicle displays its PHV licence discs and ask for proof of hire-and-reward insurance before signing. If anything is missing, don't drive.
Keeping the replacement longer than needed. Once your own vehicle is back and roadworthy, return the hire vehicle. Hire beyond your reasonable need may not be recovered, and you could be liable for it.
Driving outside the agreed area. Check your hire agreement for any limits on where you can drive.

What to do if you've just had an accident

If you're a PCO driver reading this right now with a damaged vehicle:

Call 0208 090 8872 (24/7) or get a repair and hire quote online
We talk through what happened
We arrange recovery if needed
TfL-compliant replacement delivered, usually within 24 hours, subject to availability
You keep working

When the other driver was at fault there's nothing to pay up front: we claim our charges from the at-fault insurer. The hire is on credit-hire terms, so you may be liable for the charges if they aren't recovered.

Questions about your repair or hire?

Call us to talk about getting your vehicle repaired and back on the road.

0208 090 8872