The PCO car hire industry, like many others, has undergone profound changes as a result of the widespread adoption of technology. Embracing these changes can greatly improve your standard of living. Therefore, many people have started working as PCO car drivers as a way to increase their earnings.
PCO car hires in London have become increasingly popular as more and more people choose to obtain PCO licences as a way to make additional income. Independent PCO car drivers can benefit greatly from PCO rental companies due to the solutions they provide.
As more individuals become aware of the industry’s opportunities, the number of PCO car drivers has increased dramatically. PCO car hire firms can be quite helpful for people who are just starting in the industry but aren’t quite prepared to consider it their full-time job.
Renting a PCO car gives you access to a fleet of reliable vehicles ideal for operating as a private hire vehicle or for use with ridesharing apps like Uber and Bolt. If you’re willing, you can sign a short-term contract, make a small payment, and start driving.
Despite the extensive adoption of PCO car hire, a substantial percentage of the population still harbours scepticism about the industry’s legitimacy and reliability. Keeping that in mind, let’s check out some PCO car driving techniques that will help novice PCO rental car drivers become seasoned pros in no time.
1. Only Engage In Conversation If They Want To
Is driving a PCO car something you’re considering? This role could be ideal for you if you enjoy interacting with others. After all, your job necessitates constant interactions. It’s not always easy to tell if someone wants to have a conversation or would rather have some quiet time to themselves.
A good rule of thumb is to wait for the passenger to initiate a conversation before engaging them if you have any doubts about their interest in doing so.
It is important to remember that most people taking a PCO car ride do so because they want some quiet time and will not appreciate constantly being interrupted, even if the cab is stopped in traffic.
If they seem interested in striking up a conversation, and the trip duration indicates that doing so would be useful, you could try asking them a general question. A wide variety of non-technical topics could serve as icebreakers if they are headed to an airport. It’s possible that they’re meeting someone and that asking about them will help you avoid getting too personal.
When someone requests your business card, it’s important to keep their image in mind. A simple inquiry about how their vacation went can go a long way toward fostering customer loyalty upon their return.
You don’t have to provide entertainment for your customers. Making them feel relaxed in your presence is as simple as exhibiting genuine interest in them without going overboard. When you interact with the people you’re driving, you show that you care about them beyond simply getting them to their destination, which is something you’ll both appreciate. Generally speaking, a satisfied passenger will leave a larger tip.
2. Target A Niche To Earn More
In the business sector, it is typically the bigger organisations that make the first move in establishing contact with potential customers. They want to approach PCO rental companies to establish long-term contracts and develop beneficial working relationships. In the same vein, PCO car drivers who work for themselves could also reach out to companies looking for private transportation.
This is because contracts like these can be quite lucrative and are often easy to secure. The only exception is that they might have unique expectations that must be satisfied; otherwise, they are exactly like any other client. Those in need of business transportation services will place a premium on dependability.
To get started, look for bigger companies in your vicinity that might need a PCO car service. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential clients, it’s time to put prepare a proposal outlining your services. This could seem time-consuming, but it will pay off well when you get your first client. If things go well, you may one day be the CEO of your own PCO rental company.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that you and your PCO car for rent must always be tidy. Lastly, as was pointed out previously, dependability is usually the deciding factor. If you can prove that you can consistently deliver high-quality service to your clients, you should have no trouble standing on your own as a viable PCO car service option.
3. Leverage Busy Hours
If you’re a PCO rental car driver, like most people, you want to work the shifts that keep you the busiest so you can make the most money. It’s no secret that the roads are busiest at specific times of the day, and PCO car drivers of all levels of expertise will identify these peak hours. The busiest periods of the day for PCO car drivers to be out and about are the early hours of the morning and late in the evening.
That’s because of the huge influx of people on their way to and from work. Moreover, many people will want assistance getting to and from the airport or train station. You should be aware, however, that navigating the roads during rush hour can be difficult. If you want to operate as a PCO car hire driver, you can increase your income in ways other than just leveraging rush hours.
You can also be highly proactive on weekends, which tend to be particularly the busiest times of the week. If you’re looking for a busy schedule as PCO rental driver, Friday and Saturday evenings could be your best bet. Throughout this time window, you could be picking up and dropping off customers who are heading out or returning home for the night.
Also, keep in mind any public holidays that may come up. PCO car drivers can earn more during peak times than they can during off-peak hours. As a result, they become much more successful.
4. Make Use Of Digital Marketing
PCO car drivers can increase their income by learning how to use digital marketing strategies. You can pick from various channels to reach a wider audience and increase revenue. Among the most well-liked options are utilising social media platforms and having a custom-built website.
Remember that many of your potential customers already spend a significant amount of hours on the internet and value convenience above all else. You could increase your revenue by advertising your availability using an online booking tool.
Increasing your visibility in search engines is another major area that can help you reach your niche market objectives. This means that your website will have a higher chance of being displayed at the top of search engine results on both Google and Yahoo.
Sign up for some of the most widely used social media sites, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. To put it another way, different kinds of advertising call for different approaches. For instance, Twitter is best suited for brief announcements, whereas Instagram strongly prefers visual media.
If you’re working for Uber as a PCO car driver in London, why not take photos of one of the city’s many famous monuments or points of interest and share them with the world?
5. Drive Safely At All Times
Driving a PCO car in London can be nerve-wracking because of the constant hazards of the road, such as excessive traffic, adverse weather, as well as the presence of bicycles and pedestrians. Providing a safe and comfortable ride for your passengers is your top priority and may put extra stress on you.
The ability to drive defensively is by far the most beneficial skill you can acquire. Operating within the law makes it much simpler to recognise and avoid danger. Customers put their faith in you and want a pleasant ride in return, so treat each trip with mutual respect.
Your passengers may get motion sickness or feel uneasy if you’re a frantic driver. They might rate you poorly as a result, which could result in losing access to the ridesharing platform altogether.
No matter how severe, car wrecks are traumatic experiences for everyone involved. The consequences are even more severe for a PCO rental car driver whose livelihood is directly tied to driving. Regardless of who is at fault, accidents can have a significant financial impact because of the time lost from work while your vehicle is being repaired.
It’s the same situation with ticketing for driving violations. It’s only a matter of time until you receive a PCN charge if you have a rash driving style. As a result, you’ll rack up fines and possibly even have your driver’s licence suspended, all for no good reason at all. Prevention, as the adage goes, is always better than cure.
When driving aggressively, you need to apply the brakes with a bit more force. When that happens, the brakes and tyres wear out faster than normal. You are still liable for paying for any damage done to a PCO car above what is considered normal wear and tear. Due to this, maintaining composure while on the road and following all traffic regulations is a wise decision.
6. Avoid Sudden Speeding
Nearly all PCO car drivers know that the rate at which fuel consumption rises is proportionate to the rate at which the vehicle travels. Consequently, avoiding excessive speeds when driving is indeed another recommendation that will let PCO rental drivers use their fuel more efficiently.
It’s best to keep your speed down, as the more quickly you travel, the more you’ll fight the wind. As a result, your PCO car’s fuel consumption would rise as it struggled to keep its speed. When travelling downward, keep your engine speed constant.
If you’ve got a hill to climb, you’ll be able to get around more quickly. Make use of the trip metre. Use the trip computer to maintain a steady speed on main roads. PCO rental drivers need to maintain a steady speed without any fluctuation or drops, as it’s important to avoid accelerating or decelerating too quickly.
7. Be Empathetic
As a PCO car driver, you will interact with consumers from all walks of life, so it is important to have the soft ability of empathy. Knowing how to respond when a passenger opens up to you regarding a sensitive topic, such as the end of a marriage or the loss of a job, is important. Even when you aren’t in a position to offer advice, you may still help the person feel at ease by paying close attention and showing sympathy.
If you or someone you know is looking for PCO cars for rent in London, then G&M Direct Hire is the best option. We are among the best companies that offer PCO rental cars in London and offer a wide range of PCO cars. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll help you find the best PCO car.