Driver eligibility
Licence, badge, age, endorsements and supplier acceptance can affect who may use the vehicle.
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A substitute vehicle that can lawfully support private-hire workReplacement PCO Vehicle After an Accident
Need a PCO car replacement after an accident? We can review whether a suitable substitute may be available under the claim and hire terms. Driver and vehicle licensing, insurance, operator requirements and reasonable need must be checked before private-hire work can resume.
Taxi and PCO accident support
Driver eligibilityLicence, badge, age, endorsements and supplier acceptance can affect who may use the vehicle
Vehicle approvalThe proposed car must have the documents and authority status required for the intended private-hire work
Contract and operatorInsurance, permitted use, mileage and operator onboarding may sit in separate arrangements
Authority stays visibleThe supplier, insurer, operator and licensing authority each retain their decisions; Sterling coordinates information and timing only
What licensed drivers should record
When a PCO car replacement may be available after an accident
Replacement PCO vehicle support requires more than matching the size of the damaged car. The driver, licensing authority, operator, insurance, vehicle documentation and supplier terms all need to align. Sterling gathers that information where the accident claim and reasonable need make a replacement route eligible.
This page is for private-hire drivers seeking an eligible working vehicle during assessment or repair.
Related practical advice: documents required for a PCO replacement vehicle.
What can interrupt licensed work
What affects PCO replacement-vehicle eligibility
Vehicle approval
The proposed car must have the documents and authority status required for the intended private-hire work.
Contract and operator
Insurance, permitted use, mileage and operator onboarding may sit in separate arrangements.
How the vehicle returns to work
How the PCO replacement-vehicle process works
The collision record, vehicle owner, licensing position and work needs stay visible throughout the case.
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1
Provide authority details
Identify the licensing body, operator and current vehicle status.
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2
Record reasonable work need
Explain passenger, accessibility and operational requirements.
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3
Check claim and stock
Confirm liability route, eligibility and suitable licensed availability.
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4
Review every permission
Read supplier terms and verify authority and operator acceptance.
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5
Return and update
Hand back under the agreement and complete relevant work-status records.
Licence, ownership and supply checks
What to check before accepting a replacement PCO vehicle
Badge-only assumption
A licensed driver cannot necessarily use every vehicle for private hire.
Supplier insurance gap
The intended work and drivers must be covered under the actual agreement.
Guaranteed platform access
Sterling cannot promise that an operator or platform will approve the substitute vehicle.
Responsibility boundary: The supplier, insurer, operator and licensing authority each retain their decisions; Sterling coordinates information and timing only.
Questions from taxi and private-hire drivers
Replacement PCO vehicle questions
A replacement may be considered if the accident claim is eligible, you have a reasonable need for a substitute and a suitable vehicle is available under the applicable terms. A non-fault collision does not automatically guarantee free hire or a replacement. Sterling can review the details and coordinate next steps.
Record your driver licence and badge details, licensing authority, operator, the damaged vehicle's licensing status and the type of work you need to undertake. Ask the supplier which documents and driver requirements it needs before handover.
Not necessarily. Check that the vehicle is appropriately licensed, the intended drivers and private-hire use are insured and permitted, and your operator accepts the vehicle. Confirm any required authority or platform approval before use and read the hire conditions and liabilities.
Availability depends on the supplier, licensing requirements and intended use. A proposed substitute may not meet your operator's or insurer's requirements. Sterling can coordinate the available options and next steps but cannot guarantee immediate supply, permitted use or platform acceptance.
Other working-vehicle guidance
Guidance for taxi and private-hire vehicles
PCO accident management after the first report
Use the management route for ongoing recovery, repair, licensing and case-status coordination.
View PCO accident managementPCO accident claims focused on repair and working mobility
How a PCO vehicle claim can involve evidence, recovery, repairs and an eligible mobility review.
View taxi and PCO guidanceReplacement-taxi support where the claim is eligible
Replacement-taxi considerations, including reasonable need, availability, cover and hire conditions.
View taxi and PCO guidance
Start with an accurate vehicle record
Report the accident details you have
Sterling will review the vehicle position, explain the available coordination route and identify which organisation must make the next decision.