Plying for hire
A Suburban licence covers one sector. Plying for hire outside it is an offence under the London Cab Order 1934. TfL's policy says a first offence normally brings a written warning, and repeats suspension or revocation.
Where a journey can go
The licence limits where a driver can be hired, not where the passenger can go. Every London taxi driver must accept a hiring of up to 12 miles within Greater London, or 20 miles from Heathrow, and refusing one is an offence. That is why the Suburban Knowledge also asks the main places in neighbouring sectors, central London and the airports.
Sources
- TfL, Taxi and private hire driver policy, version 6.0, 1 September 2026, sections 4.7 and 4.7.1
- TfL, Introduction to the Knowledge of London, March 2022, page 4
From the guide: Green badge or yellow badge?