There are more than 300 thousand registered cars for PCO private hire or taxis in the UK, a figure that has doubled since 2019. Most drivers are PHV licensed and prefer working with ridesharing apps like Uber and Ola in London.
With the growing trend and rising demand from customers in London, there hasn’t been a better time to make some extra money through PCO car hire. Also, multiple PCO care hire operators in London and across the UK are offering good rental plans for PCO car drivers.
If you have recently obtained your PCO license and are considering using Uber as a full-time or part-time driver, you’ve come to the right place. Uber drivers come from different backgrounds and industries, and the best part about the job is that drivers get to pick the schedule that suits them best.
Uber provides a flexible earning opportunity to drivers in London, and drivers receive good commissions and benefits through the platform. There are different types of Uber rides that you can consider, and each ride has its benefits and cons that you should know about.
But first, let’s take a look at the requirements for becoming an Uber driver:
How to Become an Uber Driver?
To become an Uber driver in London, the eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Have a valid driver’s license with sufficient driving experience
- A PCO driver’s license
- Be 21 years old or above
- Have a bank account for receiving payments
- Work permit in the UK
- Language test
- DBS check
- Sufficient knowledge of reading GPS maps
To get started as an Uber PCO car driver, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Sign up online through your smartphone to send them your basic information
- The next step is to get your PCO license
- Upload the necessary documents and paperwork needed to become an Uber driver
- Arrange a PCO car hire in Ealing or use your own car if you have one
- Enrol and complete Uber’s onboarding virtual course that will help you learn all about the Uber app and its features
- Activate your account and start accepting rides and making extra money on your terms
Uber is currently one of the leading ridesharing apps in London that provides flexible working schedules and worker rights protections. By becoming an Uber driver, you will have access to the company’s worker protection, such as pensions and holiday plans.
Different Types of Uber Rides
There are different types of Uber rides available for Uber drivers to choose from. Each ride comes with different benefits and has different price estimates. The best part is that as the driver, you can toggle on and off different ride types only if you’re eligible for them.
Note: while there are different types of rides offered by Uber, not all of them are available everywhere. So, make sure that the ride of your choice is available in the city or region you plan to work in.
1. Economy Rides
Economy rides are the most frequently used Uber rides and are available in almost every city and region. Economy rides are best for freelance drivers who also have full-time jobs and are looking to earn some extra money on the side. The economy ride type model offers a lot of flexibility, and drivers get a lot of bonuses and rewards through this ride type.
Here are some of the economy ride types you can choose from:
UberX
UberX is the most common type of economy ride used by passengers. This ride type is a standard ride, and the model resembles that of a taxi ride. UberX is available to all passengers and drivers across the globe.
Through UberX, passengers can also add multiple ride polls, meaning you will have to make more than one stop and earn more money.
UberXL
UberXL is another economy service type where you can accommodate more than four people in your ride. However, not every PCO car hire in Slough or elsewhere is eligible for this ride type. Your PCO car must have sufficient space to accommodate more than four passengers at a time. You can benefit from this ride type if you have an SUV or a large PCO car.
Most people think drivers earn less since the ride cost is split between multiple people; however, despite the fare split, the amount per rider isn’t affected.
Uber Select
Uber Select is an economy ride type that is more comfortable than UberX or UberXL. Uber Select is also known as Uber Plus in some regions. If you have a comfortable ride, you can register as an Uber Select driver.
Drivers who have a luxury PCO car hire in Layton or another area can opt for this type of ride. With this ride, passengers typically expect cars like Mercedes, Audi, or other luxury vehicles. Uber gives their Uber Plus drivers certain benefits like free doctor consultations, concessions, access to loans, and car service and maintenance.
Uber Comfort
Most passengers in the UK demand that the car is no older than 5 to 10 years. PCO car drivers with vehicles in brand-new condition can opt for Uber comfort rides. If your car has a spacious interior and enough legroom for over four passengers, then you’re eligible for this ride type as well.
2. Premium Rides
As Uber expands in the UK and worldwide, it caters to the needs of clients looking for luxury rides. This is why it introduced premium ride services for professional PCO car hire drivers to transport passengers with comfort and luxury. Here are some of the premium ride options that Uber provides:
Uber Black
Uber Black is similar to hiring a private chauffeur; the passenger can use this ride to travel in comfort and style. If you have a luxurious automobile or a PCO electric car with a plush interior and a lot of space, you can sign up for Uber Black and benefit from its premium fares.
Uber has a reward system where drivers earn points, and after 2–3 months, they can unlock the reward and access the benefits that come with it.
Uber SUV
Uber SUV is similar to Uber Black and UberXL, but if a passenger books an Uber SUV, they expect a higher level of comfort and luxury and an SUV that accommodates up to six passengers at a time. Furthermore, you can earn extra by providing further services like quiet mode travel, helping passengers with their luggage at the airport, or even giving them a temperature control option.
All these options will not only improve the quality of your service, but they will also help you earn more money through Uber.
3. Other Uber Ride Types
As Uber expands, it is adding more and more ride types, amenities, and support options for its passengers to improve service quality. This is also good news for Uber drivers as they will have more flexibility to schedule their rides and earn accordingly.
Depending on your PCO car, you can choose UberWAV (transport option for people to assist people with wheelchairs), Uber Car Seat (for parents with a child), Uber Carpool, and Uber Pet.
Tips for Uber Drivers
Keep Your Car in Good Condition
Make sure your car is in good condition and is well-maintained. With PCO car hire Harrow, you can easily subscribe to a rental plan, and the company will take care of the car’s service and maintenance.
Keep Track of Expenses
Another valuable tip is to keep track of all your expenses to ensure you’re not spending more than you’re earning through Uber. If you’re likely to forget, you can write down the number of rides you took, total fare, car payments, parking fees, and so on.
Familiarise Yourself with the Area
If you’re not familiar with the area you’re working in, you may want to familiarise yourself with the routes, so you don’t end up causing any delays. Moreover, you don’t want to rely solely on GPS apps, and it always pays off to learn about the different areas—especially the shortcuts—to improve your service or be prepared in case of an emergency.
If you’re looking for reliable PCO car hire in London, you’ve come to the right place! At G&M Direct Hire, we offer a diverse fuel-based fleet and PCO electric cars for PCO car drivers all over London. Whether you need a convenient Croydon PCO car hire or are looking for a Leyton PCO car hire, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us for more information or to learn more about our driver guidelines on accident occurrence, PCO inspection, and MOT test and car service.