Stopping on red routes

Red route exemption sign You can now set down and pick up passengers on most red routes as long as you are displaying the proper sign in your private hire vehicle.

Displaying the signs means police, CCTV operators, and other road users will know that you are allowed to set down and pick up on red routes. So you'll avoid the £120 penalty charge!

How to apply for the signs
Where to fix the signs
How to fix the signs

How to apply for the signs

You can only apply if you're a licensed private hire operator. If you're a driver you should speak to your operator about making an application.

The signs are free so please don't charge your drivers for them. To get the signs please complete the PHV Red Route Signage Application form (PDF 66KB) and return it to us at:

PCO Red Route Team
Public Carriage Office
15 Penton Street
Islington
London N1 9PU

Fax: 020 7126 1249

Operators with many vehicles

If you have lots of vehicles, you may prefer to complete the PHV Fleet Red Route Signage Application (XLS 119KB) and email it to us at RedRouteSignage@tfl.gov.uk.

You will need to list the registration numbers of the vehicles you would like signs for. We will then send you signs for each vehicle listed, along with instructions on how to fix them on plus more information for drivers.

Where to fix the signs

Front windscreen

Fix one sticker on the outside of the front windscreen, directly below your private hire vehicle licence disc

Rear windscreen

Fix the other sticker to the bottom of the rear windscreen on the right-hand side (offside) on the outside of the glass.

You must display the signs in addition to the private hire vehicle licence disc
You must not fit them to any vehicles that are not licensed private hire vehicles

If you don't display the signs in the correct position you can't stop on red routes. If you do you risk receiving a £120 penalty charge.

How to fix the signs

The stickers are tamper-evident so, once applied, they cannot be taken from your vehicle and placed on another. So take care when removing them from the backing layer and sticking them on the windscreen.

You can only use the signs on licensed private hire vehicles

Clean the area where the stickers will go
Lightly warm the glass as the adhesives work better at higher temperatures (more than 20°C), for instance you may wish to apply the sticker after the vehicle has been in use with the demister operating
Cut the sheet with the two stickers in half, cutting along the dotted line marked 'A'
Peel off the waste vinyl surrounding the stickers and bend both stickers along the dotted line marked 'B'
Position the stickers on the vehicle in the correct position and then slowly remove the backing paper and allow the sticker to fall naturally into place
Gently at first press the sticker into place starting from the middle and working outwards

Common questions

Further information for operators and drivers can be found in the PHV driver guidelines to stopping on red routes and in the frequently asked questions (PDF 19KB)