Uber Wins London Licence Appeal, Granted 18-Month Renewal
A London court grants Uber an 18-month licence after the company demonstrates improved safety protocols and better communication with transport regulators.
Uber wins its latest appeal against Transport for London (TfL), allowing the ride-hailing giant to continue operating in the city. The court expresses satisfaction with the process improvements Uber makes, noting that while the company lacks a perfect record, it presents an improving picture that meets reasonable business expectations.
The renewed licence comes with 21 conditions proposed jointly by Uber and TfL, though it only lasts for 18 months rather than the five-year term Uber originally sought. This shortened timeline reflects the regulator's ongoing caution following a multi-year battle that starts when TfL denies Uber's renewal in 2017 over safety concerns.
To secure this victory, Uber highlights major safety upgrades such as real-time driver ID verification, strict scrutiny teams, and a freeze on inactive drivers. The company argues that system flaws are not widespread, pointing out that only 24 out of 45,000 drivers exploit its platform to its knowledge, and it now cooperates effectively with the city's transport authority.