When I applied for mine, it only took a two or three months.
However, that was seven years ago, and the regulations have tightened up since then, one of them is that you know have to obtain planning permission from your local council (or obtain, an exemption), proof of which has to be sent to TfL as part of your application.
You can also accept X work in your Exec car. Go into the Account tab on your app, and you can change your vehicle.
You should have two vehicles, one with the reg. no. in lower case, and the other in upper case. To choose X and Exec work as well, it's usually the lower case one.
I had to leave my job as a train driver through multiple back surgeries and this is the most flexible thing I can do. I'm not shy about putting in the work and I've really sat down and thought about the job and the outgoings. I'll be happy if I can make £500 a week clean. Hoping that where it's still taking off in the north west it will be good for a year or two