In Appeal, Uber Regains License to Operate in London

A London court ruled on Monday in favor of ride-hailing service Uber’s appeal over the revocation of its license to operate in the U.K. capital.

Last November, Transport for London, the city’s regulator, refused to renew Uber’s license to operate, citing what had been a fairly common practice of sharing or renting out the company’s driver accounts.  The agency said at the time that approximately 14,000 rides in 2018 and early 2019 had been driven by non-authorized individuals.

People who rent accounts from Uber drivers might typically lack a driver’s license or might fail a background check.

The Westminster Magistrates’ Court said that Uber was  now “fit and proper” to hold a license, which was granted for an 18-month period.  A standard license is valid for five years.

“This decision is a recognition of Uber’s commitment to safety,” the company said in a statement, adding that the new license made it subject to a bevy fo new conditions.

This was the second time Uber lost and subsequently regained its license to operate in London. Transport for London declined in September 2017 to renew Uber’s license, citing governance issues.  Nine months later, the Westminster Magistrates’ Court granted the company a probationary license that required a review after 15 months.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)