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PCO Licence & School Run Driver Jobs in Wandsworth (2026)

Picture of Faheem Nasir By   ·  6 minute read

If you live in Wandsworth and you're looking for driving work that pays well, finishes by 4pm, and doesn't involve weekend nights chasing surge pricing — school run driver jobs are one of the best-kept secrets in South London.

This guide covers everything you need in one place: how to get a PCO licence in Wandsworth in 2026, what school run driving actually involves, and how to apply for a job with Sherwood T Group — a Sutton-based SEN transport company that hires drivers across Wandsworth, Merton, Croydon and Sutton, and that can help with PCO sponsorship if you don't already hold a licence.

Who this guide is for

You're probably reading this because one of the following is true:

  • You already drive PHV (Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW) and you're tired of late nights, rising costs, and unpredictable income.
  • You hold a UK driving licence and you've heard school transport work is steady and family-friendly, but you don't know where to start.
  • You've just moved to Wandsworth or a neighbouring borough and you want a driving job that fits around school hours, study, or another job.
  • You're a parent yourself, looking for term-time work that finishes in time for your own school run.

If any of that sounds like you, keep reading. By the end of this post you'll know exactly what paperwork you need, how long it takes, and how to apply.

What is a PCO licence and why do you need one?

A PCO licence (Private Hire Driver Licence, issued by Transport for London) is the licence you legally need to drive passengers for hire and reward in London. It's the same licence Uber and Bolt drivers hold. Without it, you cannot legally drive paying passengers in any London borough — including school run and SEN transport routes.

If you only hold a standard UK driving licence, you cannot start school run work tomorrow. You need the PCO first.

The good news: it's a well-defined process, and at Sherwood we can help sponsor candidates through it if you commit to driving with us once licensed.

How to get a PCO licence in Wandsworth (2026 step-by-step)

The PCO licence is issued by TfL (Transport for London), not by Wandsworth Council. That means the process is the same whether you live in Wandsworth, Sutton, Croydon or anywhere else inside Greater London. What changes by borough is where you do your medical, your topographical test, and which local SEN/school transport employers are hiring nearby.

Here's the full process:

Step 1: Check you're eligible

To apply for a PCO licence in 2026 you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have held a full UK, EU or EEA driving licence for at least three years (or a converted overseas licence)
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK
  • Pass an enhanced DBS check (more on this below)
  • Be medically fit to DVLA Group 2 standard

If you tick those boxes, you can begin.

Step 2: Apply for an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check

TfL requires a DBS check on every PCO applicant. For school transport work specifically, an Enhanced DBS with the Children's Barred List is required — not just a Basic or Standard check. This is non-negotiable for anyone working with children, including SEN pupils.

You cannot apply for an Enhanced DBS yourself directly — it must be requested by an employer or a registered umbrella body. If you apply to Sherwood directly, we initiate the DBS for you as part of the recruitment process.

Turnaround time in 2026 is typically two to four weeks, sometimes faster.

Step 3: Book your TfL medical

You'll need a DVLA Group 2 medical certificate. This must be completed by a doctor registered with the GMC. Cost is typically £80–£140 depending on the practice.

There are several walk-in clinics across South London that handle TfL medicals quickly — many near Tooting Broadway (SW17), Clapham Junction (SW11) and Wandsworth Town (SW18). Search "TfL medical Wandsworth" for current providers.

Step 4: Pass the SERU (Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding) assessment

Introduced by TfL in 2021 and still required in 2026, the SERU is a multiple-choice assessment covering:

  • Safeguarding passengers, especially vulnerable adults and children
  • Equality Act 2010 obligations (disability awareness, assistance animals, etc.)
  • TfL regulations and your responsibilities as a licensed driver

You can book it online via the TfL website. Pass mark is 60%. Most candidates pass first time if they revise — TfL publishes a free study guide.

Step 5: Pass the Topographical Skills Assessment

This tests your ability to read maps and plan routes across London without GPS. It's largely paper-based and takes about 90 minutes. Several test centres operate across South London.

Step 6: Submit your application to TfL

Once you have your DBS, medical, SERU and topographical certificates in hand, you submit your full application to TfL with the licence fee (currently £310 for a three-year licence, subject to TfL annual review).

Total time from start to PCO badge in hand: typically 6–10 weeks in 2026, depending on DBS turnaround and how quickly you book your assessments.

"Can I get help with the cost of my PCO licence?"

Yes — this is one of the most common questions we get from drivers in Wandsworth and across South London.

At Sherwood T Group we offer PCO sponsorship arrangements for the right candidates. In practice that means we can help cover the upfront costs of medical, SERU, topographical and TfL fees in exchange for a commitment to drive school routes with us once licensed. The specifics depend on your situation — contact us via the driver application form and we'll talk you through it.

If you'd rather pay your own way and stay completely independent, that's fine too. You can still apply to drive with Sherwood once your PCO is in hand.

What school run driver jobs in Wandsworth actually look like

Most people imagine "school run" means a yellow American school bus. In London, the reality is very different.

Sherwood runs SEN (Special Educational Needs) school transport for councils and parents across South London, including Wandsworth. Routes typically involve:

  • A morning run picking up 1–4 pupils with SEN needs from home and delivering them to their specialist school (often a school across borough lines — Wandsworth pupils often attend schools in Merton, Sutton, Lambeth or Surrey)
  • An afternoon run in reverse
  • Term-time only — school holidays are unpaid, but the predictability is why most of our drivers stay long-term
  • A consistent vehicle (usually a 5–8 seater) and a consistent group of pupils, so you build a relationship with the family
  • A Passenger Assistant (PA) alongside you on most SEN routes — you focus on driving safely, the PA supports the pupil

Typical working hours is 1-2 hours between 7:00am–10am and 2:30pm–4:30pm. Many drivers do an additional private hire or delivery shift in the middle of the day. Plenty don't — they use the gap to rest, exercise, run errands or pick up their own kids.

Why drivers prefer this to Uber/Bolt

We hear the same reasons repeatedly from drivers who switch from PHV apps to school transport:

  • Predictable income — you know what you'll earn each week
  • Predictable hours — same routes, same times, no late nights
  • No surge gambling — no chasing fares or sitting around waiting for the algorithm
  • Real relationships — you become a trusted part of a child's daily routine
  • Weekends and evenings free — for family, second jobs, or rest

It's not glamorous work and it's not for everyone. But for drivers who want stability, it's hard to beat.

Wandsworth-specific details

Wandsworth is one of our growth boroughs. We currently run routes that pick up from or pass through:

  • SW11 Battersea, Clapham Junction
  • SW12 Balham
  • SW15 Putney, Roehampton
  • SW17 Tooting, Furzedown
  • SW18 Wandsworth Town, Earlsfield, Southfields
  • SW19 Wimbledon (overlapping Merton)

If you live in any of these postcodes, your commute to a Sherwood pickup point is typically under 15 minutes.

Wandsworth Council also commissions SEN transport across the borough, so there's strong long-term demand for licensed drivers willing to take on safeguarding-focused work.

What we look for in a driver

You don't need previous school transport experience. You do need:

  • A clean UK driving licence (minor points considered — talk to us)
  • A patient, calm temperament — many of our pupils have autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences or physical disabilities
  • Reliability — pupils, parents and schools depend on you arriving on time, every day
  • Willingness to undergo Enhanced DBS, safeguarding training and ongoing CPD
  • For all routes, a PCO licence (or willingness to obtain one with our support)

If you've got those, we want to hear from you.

How to apply

The fastest way to start the process is to apply directly through our driver page:

👉 Apply for a school run driver job in Wandsworth

 

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a PCO licence before I apply? No. If you don't yet have one, apply anyway and tell us in the form. We'll discuss sponsorship options at interview.

Can I do this part-time? Yes — most school run roles are inherently part-time (mornings and afternoons only). Many of our drivers combine it with other work.

What does it pay? Pay varies by route, vehicle and shift pattern. We discuss specifics before you start, and we're transparent — no surprises. As a guide, our school transport rates are competitive with established South London PHV earnings, with the major upside of predictability.

Is the work term-time only? Yes, school transport routes follow the academic calendar. School holidays are unpaid unless you take on additional work with us during those weeks. (There are a few select routes with centres that continue all year round).

I have a non-UK driving licence. Can I still apply? You'll need to have converted your licence to a UK one before applying for a PCO. Contact us and we can point you to the DVLA conversion process.

How quickly can I start? If you already have a PCO and a clean Enhanced DBS, you can often start within two weeks. If you need to obtain your PCO first, expect much longer due to delays.

Ready to drive?

Wandsworth has a large pool of experienced drivers — but very few are aware that school transport offers a stable, family-friendly alternative to PHV apps. If that's what you're looking for, we'd genuinely love to hear from you.

👉 Apply now for school run driver jobs in Wandsworth

September terms fill up fast. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to secure a route that fits your home location and schedule.

Sherwood T Group is a Sutton-based SEN and school transport provider operating across Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Croydon and surrounding South London boroughs. We hold contracts with multiple London councils and are committed to safeguarding, DBS compliance and ongoing driver training.