Transport for London (TfL) has cracked down on pedicabs operating in the UK capital, introducing new rules that ban them from blaring music externally and ripping off passengers.
Pedicabs, sometimes called rickshaws, have previously operated without regulation in London, and concerns over their operation have been well documented – from their proclivity to blare loud music while travelling through the city to their rip-off rates charged to unwitting customers.
TfL has now introduced new regulations that will require pedicabs operators meet certain requirements and ban certain behaviour.
The new rules require that all pedicab vehicles be road legal, display a valid licence, and have regular safety checks. The vehicles will also be banned from playing external audio.
Pedicab drivers will need to have a full driving licence or valid theory test certificate, an enhanced DBS check, and must meet English language requirements.
To prevent the well-documented phenomenon of pedicabs from ripping off customers (in 2022, a London pedicab driver charged £180 for a three-minute trip), TfL has also introduced maximum fares for pedicabs operating in London.
The planned maximum fare would comprise the total of a base fare of £5 plus a per-minute charge of up to £1. An additional charge of up to £3 per passenger may be added to the total fare.
Subject to approval, the pedicab driver licensing fee is set to be £114 and the pedicab vehicle licensing fee £100, both for a one-year licence.
Drivers will be able to apply for licences from 9 March 2026 and from 30 October 2026, all drivers will be required to have a licence. Maximum fares will also come into force from this date.
“Pedicabs should be a fun way to explore London – but too often people face rip-off fares, blaring music and unsafe behaviour,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
“We’re bringing in these new rules so that both customers and drivers can benefit from an industry that is more safe, reliable and professional.”
“This will play an important role in supporting our vital night-time economy and enabling more people to enjoy all that our great city has to offer as we continue building a safer, fairer, greener London for everyone,” he said.
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