Renting a PCO car with penalty points

What rental companies look at

Each rental company sets its own points limit. They often also ask about:

• Your age
• How many years you have held your driving licence
• Serious driving convictions
• Accidents that were your fault

What insurers look at

Insurers ask about your points, your claims, your age and how long you have driven. Points and past claims usually make private hire insurance cost more. We get you competitive quotes from different insurance brokers, and you choose the one you want. Every quote shows the excess, the part of a claim you pay yourself.

• Insurance excess (glossary)
• Hire and reward insurance (glossary)

Points and your TfL licence

• TfL does not license a new driver with 12 or more points
• With 9 or more points, TfL looks at the offences and may refuse you
• Licensed drivers must tell TfL about driving offences that give them points
• Drivers licensed from 1 July 2024 must tell TfL within 48 hours
• TfL's driver policy
• Penalty points (glossary)

What to do before you pay

• Check your points on GOV.UK with your licence number
• Tell the rental company your points and what they were for
• Ask for an insurance quote with your points included
• Read the excess on the quote
• View your driving licence on GOV.UK

How Kharo checks you

Before a rental company sees you, we check your DVLA licence and your identity. The rental company then decides if it can rent to you. You see your insurance quote before you pay anything.

• PCO car hire in London
• Browse the cars

More guides

• Private hire car hire for minicab and app drivers Private hire car hire means renting a car licensed as a private hire vehicle (PHV), the kind minicab and app drivers use. On Kharo you see the rent, deposit and insurance before you apply.
• PCO driver glossary The words you will meet, in plain English.
• All guides

Tools

• PCO cost calculator
• Car eligibility checker

Next

• Browse cars
• Register

Questions

Can I rent a PCO car with 6 points?

It depends. Each rental company and insurer sets its own limit. Tell them about your points before you pay a deposit.

Will points make my insurance cost more?

Usually yes. Insurers use your points and claims to set the price.

Do I have to tell TfL about penalty points?

Yes. TfL licensed drivers must tell TfL about driving offences that give them points.

Can I rent a car on Kharo today?

Cars are not booked online yet. You can see the cars and prices now. Register your interest or message us on WhatsApp, and we'll help you arrange a car.