A career as a PCO driver can be highly rewarding for driving. Statistics show there are over 250,000 licensed PCO drivers in the UK. While the number of PCO drivers has declined since the pandemic, the career remains in demand for most driving professionals. Life as a PCO driver can be lucrative and freeing. PCO drivers have numerous benefits. Firstly, they have complete flexibility and freedom, meaning they can set their working hours. They can also choose the areas they want to work in, meaning you can work in your neighborhood. Other benefits include spending more time with your family and earning more by working longer hours based on your financial needs.
Considerations Before Becoming a PCO Driver
Here are some things to consider before becoming a PCO driver:
License Requirement
You’ll need to obtain a PCO license before becoming a PCO driver. Getting a PCO license is an extensive process, lasting a few months. It also involves several checks and tests, including a medical check, background check, English test, and a topographical skills test.
Insurance Requirements
It’s also worth noting that your standard motor insurance policy won’t cover you as a PCO driver. You’ll need to acquire private hire insurance. Private hire insurance has different coverage from a regular motor insurance policy. This policy will cover you and your passengers if accidents occur. You’ll also require coverage for third-party damage and to cover legal expenses. Various insurance providers offer PCO insurance. Hence, you’ll want to assess your options carefully before finding the best policy for your business.
Vehicle Classification and Driving
Once you register your vehicle as a private hire vehicle, it becomes a private vehicle until your license expires. You’ll need a PCO license to operate this vehicle. In addition, you’ll need pre-booked rides. This classification has some implications for vehicle usage. Your spouse, for instance, can’t drive this vehicle unless they also hold a PCO license.
Licence Cost
The application cost set by the TFL for the PCO license is 250 Pounds. However, you’ll also need to pay for DBS criminal record checks, the English language test, and Medical and topographical tests. TFL estimates the total cost is around 700 Pounds.
Rules of the Road for PCO Drivers
Many PCO drivers think they’re subject to the same rules and regulations as public transport providers. However, that’s not always the case. Here’s a look at the rules of the road for PCO drivers:
Can PCO Drivers Stop at Bus Stops?
PCO drivers don’t have the same freedom as black cabs or buses, meaning they’re not allowed to drive in the bus lane. As a result, you also cannot pick up or drop off passengers at bus stops.
Can PCO Drivers Stop on Double Yellow or Red Lines?
Double yellow and double red lines are spaces in London that forbid cars from stopping there. Roads with double red lines account for roughly 30 percent of London’s traffic. These roads are crucial for ensuring traffic flows smoothly without disruptions. As a result, you cannot stop in double yellow or red lines.
However, there’s one exception. PCO drivers can use single red lines. These red lines have specific signage indicating when the no-stopping rule is in effect. You can use these single red lines to pick up or drop off passengers when the no-stopping rule isn’t in effect.
Do PCO Drivers Have to Pay Congestion Charges?
While London black cab drivers are exempt from paying congestion charges, the same luxury doesn’t extend to PCO car drivers. As a result, you’ll have to pay congestion charges when entering the London congestion charge zone between 7 AM and 6 PM between Monday to Friday.
However, you can circumvent this rule if your vehicle is registered as wheelchair-accessible and you’re transporting a passenger. It’s also worth noting that electric vehicles are exempted from the congestion charge 24/7.
Best Practices for PCO Drivers
Here are some of the best practices for PCO drivers to follow to provide an exceptional experience to customers. They include:
Always Be Polite
You must always be polite to passengers during trips. It’s easy to let your mood influence your actions. However, remember that your PCO driving career is a business, and treat it as such. Your passengers are your customers. Therefore, be courteous to them. Poorly treating your passengers will come back to affect you. Passengers will leave negative reviews. In addition, you’ll miss out on tips and repeat customers. They’ll also refrain from recommending you to friends and family members.
Your goal should be to make customers feel as welcome as possible. Start the ride by asking them about their day and making small talk. Then, consider asking them if they prefer a specific route to their destination. Share your suggestions if you know a shorter and quicker route but let them make the final decision. Offering passengers water or refreshments is also a smart idea. Likewise, you can ask them to connect their phone’s Bluetooth to your vehicle’s stereo system, allowing them to play the music they like. Some PCO car drivers also have car chargers plugged in, allowing passengers to charge their phones during the commute.
Such gestures go a long way toward customer service. Customers will be more willing to give you a good rating and ride with you again.
Take a Ride Yourself
Consider taking a ride yourself in another PCO driver’s car. Doing so will allow you to put yourself in the passenger’s shoes. You can then use your experience to incorporate elements into your vehicle for the perfect ride. It’s also a good opportunity for you to pick another PCO driver’s brain. Consider asking them questions to learn more. Likewise, you can also ask them for advice that will help you in your PCO driving career.
Record Your Journeys
Your passengers are your lifeblood as a PCO driver. However, you must also think about the journeys you make daily. Keeping a record of these journeys is crucial because it’ll help you extrapolate more information that could prove beneficial. For instance, you could use the records to identify the average distance per ride. You could also learn more about parking expenses and fuel costs. Furthermore, you could learn more about driving habits and how much you earn on average. You could also get some deductions by claiming back expenses.
Tracking fuel costs has become more necessary than ever for PCO drivers. That’s because fuel costs are rising worldwide, including in the UK. Surging fuel prices affect PCO drivers because they can reduce earnings substantially. Deducing your fuel expenses can help you devise ways to reduce fuel consumption costs. Alternatively, you could use the information to determine if switching to an electric vehicle or hybrid car will help you save money.
How to Make the Most of Your PCO Driving Experience
Here are some things to consider that will improve your PCO driving experience. They include:
Working Schedule and Place
PCO drivers must understand when and where to work. PCO drivers have significant competition from cabs, private drivers, and other transportation systems, like The London Underground and buses. PCO drivers must have a thorough understanding of their area. Doing so allows them to know where to find passengers. It also helps them understand peak times, allowing them to get more rides. For instance, driving around London Heathrow will get you more rides because customers will need a ride to their hotel or apartment. Likewise, city centers are usually busy during the day, meaning you can find plenty of rides.
Breaks and Restrooms
Driving around in your car all day can be exhausting. More importantly, it can be hazardous to your health. Research shows that driving for long hours results in a lack of physical activity and driving fatigue, causing oxygen deficiency and leading to dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.
As a result, you’ll need to incorporate some breaks in your driving schedule to stretch your legs and get some physical activity. In addition, you’ll also need a bathroom break during your driving hours. It’s no secret that finding a clean public washroom can be challenging. You’ll need to leverage technology to help you discover clean public washrooms near you while driving. Consider installing applications to help you spot them.
Another thing that will serve you well is keeping snacks and drinks in your car. Consider carrying power bars or crisps to curb hunger cravings between rides. Likewise, water is essential to ensure you’re properly hydrated while driving, particularly during the hotter months.
Traffic and Topography
London is notorious for its traffic issues. The traffic situation within the city can change depending on factors like the weather. However, that doesn’t mean traffic isn’t a persistent issue within London. You have a limited window to fit in as many rides as possible as a PCO driver. Hence, you’ll want to avoid traffic. Otherwise, you’ll have fewer rides per day, affecting your earnings. GPS applications, like Waze and Google Maps, are essential for PCO drivers. They help you read roads and give real-time traffic updates. You can use these applications to plot the ideal route to complete rides as quickly as possible. In addition, they can save you the headache of being stuck in a traffic jam.
Fines
No driver likes paying fines. Accumulating fines as a PCO driver is even worse because they’ll dent your earnings drastically. As a result, you’ll want to avoid making silly mistakes that cost you a hefty penalty. Ensure that you read road signs carefully. In addition, avoid speeding. You also want to refrain from parking in the wrong zones and entering one-way roads. Lastly, always pay the congestion and ULEZ fee.
Passenger Treats
Passengers expect exceptional customer service. The better customer service you provide, the likelier you are to get repeat customers. In addition, happier customers will be more willing to give you better tips or recommend you to friends and family members. As a result, try to create a comfortable atmosphere for passengers during trips. Ask them if they would like you to play some music or if they prefer riding in silence. Keeping your car clean also contributes to customer service.
You can also talk to customers as they enter your vehicle, making small talk. Ensure you ask them if they prefer a specific route to their destination. If their route is longer, politely inform them that you know a shorter route and ask if they would like to explore it. Some PCO drivers will keep extra water bottles and offer them to customers. Providing hospitality goes a long way.
Count Your Rides
Every PCO driver wants to maximize their earnings. However, doing so is easier said than done. You’ll need to treat your driving as a business. Ensure that you count your daily rides. Doing so will help you assess if you can work more or not. The more rides you complete, the higher your earnings will be. Keeping track of rides will help determine if you can develop a more efficient working system by reducing turnaround time between rides.
Keep Sanitizers and a First-Aid Kit
The world has changed drastically over the last two years. Passengers have become more health conscious as new viruses have spread globally. COVID-19 has made many passengers fearful. As a result, it’s a good idea to carry sanitizers in your vehicle. Ensure that sanitizer is readily accessible for passengers to use when entering or exiting your vehicle.
Keeping a first-aid kit in your vehicle is also a smart decision. It’ll prepare you for any possible incidents, particularly if you’re stuck in an isolated place or a road accident occurs.
Get Started as a PCO Driver with G&M Direct Hire Ltd
G&M Direct Hire Ltd has been operating since 2008. They’ve established themselves as a leading PCO hire company in London, having helped over 3000 drivers in their PCO journey. They can help you if you’re a private hire driver looking to make some money with a PCO car for hire. The company has an extensive fleet of PCO cars to rent, with many EV options for Uber car rental. G&M Direct Hire Ltd offers PCO-licensed car hire in London, covering areas like Ilford, Wembley, Ealing, Slough, Edmonton, and Harrow, among many others.
Check out their website for more information. Alternatively, contact them to learn more.