Uncover what London Uber drivers really earn in 2025
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You wouldn’t start a new job without knowing the salary, and driving with Uber is no different. At Splend, one of the most common questions we hear from drivers is: How much do Uber drivers actually earn?
The good news? Driving for Uber in London remains one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to earn. In 2025, the drivers who succeed are the ones who combine smart scheduling with tight cost control.
In this 2025 deep dive, we cut through the noise. You’ll see how much you can realistically earn, the hidden costs that impact your take-home pay, and how smart drivers are using EVs and options like Splend to build a more profitable, sustainable future.
What Uber Drivers in London are earning today
Recent reports put London Uber driver pay at:
£36,500 a year on average for full-time drivers, or around £18.72 an hour.
Entry-level drivers earn closer to £29,250, while the most experienced can make £69,500+ a year.
Per trip, the average fare sits between £9–£12, with drivers completing 1.5–2.5 trips an hour. That works out to £15–£22 gross per hour, or £11–£17 after expenses
Other industry benchmarks put hourly pay in the £13–£18/hour range, depending on location, demand, and experience.
Work a standard 40-hour week, and most drivers will see £600–£880 gross, before considering costs like charging, maintenance, and Congestion Zone charges.
What can impact these average earnings?
Every driver is different, and your income depends on how you approach the job. Key factors include:
Factor | Impact |
Location | Busy areas like airports, the City, and nightlife districts often mean more fares per hour. |
Time of Day | Peak hours (rush hour, weekends, events) trigger surge pricing and more demand. |
Driver Rating | High-rated drivers are more likely to be matched with trips, including premium ride types like Uber Comfort. |
Experience | Experienced drivers who know how to plan routes, avoid downtime, and stack jobs across multiple apps (like Amazon Flex or Bolt) tend to maximise earnings. |
Vehicle Type | Electric vehicles often cost less to run, and for now, remain exempt from London Congestion and ULEZ charges (until December 2025). |
Uber Service Fee | Uber takes a standard 25% commission from each fare, which directly affects your take-home pay. |
Think of these averages as a guide, not a guarantee. Your actual results depend on how, where, and when you drive.
The Extra Boost: Tips & Holiday Pay
Earnings aren’t just fares. Drivers in 2025 benefit from two major extras:
Tips: 100% goes directly to drivers. A clean car, polite service, and small extras can add meaningful weekly income.
Holiday pay: Since Uber’s 2021 Supreme Court ruling, drivers are entitled to 12.07% holiday pay on top of fares. That’s paid every two weeks.
Minimum wage guarantee: Uber must ensure drivers earn at least the National Living Wage (£12.21/hour in 2025) after expenses.
Together, these protections mean your earnings are more secure than ever.
When Smart Strategy turns into Higher Earnings
The best Uber drivers don’t just work harder, they work smarter. By focusing on peak hours, staying near high-demand zones, and taking advantage of surge pricing, they turn flexibility into higher, more consistent earnings.
The Vehicle Question: Why your car choice can make or break your earning potential
Your car isn’t just your office — it’s your biggest expense. Here’s how the options compare:
Option | On-Road Costs | Flexibility | Pathway to Ownership | Stress |
Splend Flexi Own | Fixed | High | Yes | Low |
Traditional Finance | All costs on you | Low | No | Medium |
🚗 With an EV Flexi Own Plan from Splend, your costs are fixed and predictable. PHV Cover, servicing, maintenance, and Car Tax & MOT and and more are all included in one weekly payment. That means more of your earnings stay in your pocket — and you can focus on driving smarter.
Uber Earnings in London Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Uber drivers in London earn in 2025? Between £15–£22/hour gross, or £11–£17/hour net after costs. Top earners can exceed £69,000 annually.
Do Uber drivers get holiday pay? Yes — Uber drivers now receive 12.07% holiday pay, added to earnings every two weeks.
Can Uber drivers earn tips? Yes, and they keep 100% of them. A high rating and quality service can significantly increase tips.
What’s the best vehicle option for Uber drivers? EVs provide the lowest running costs and avoid congestion/ULEZ charges until December 2025. Flexi Own plans like Splend’s are the most predictable way to drive one.
What areas in London earn the most for Uber drivers? Airport runs, business hubs, and nightlife zones during peak hours can yield higher fares.
How does surge pricing help drivers? Surge pricing boosts fare rates in high demand periods like rush hour, special events, or bad weather. Watch Uber's map for surge zones (highlighted in red/orange).
Is Uber driving in London worth it in 2025? For drivers who plan smart, control vehicle costs, and leverage tips/holiday pay, Uber remains one of the most flexible and profitable on-demand driving opportunities in London.
London in 2025 remains a hotspot for on-demand drivers who want flexibility and strong earnings potential. By choosing the right strategy — and the right car — you can take home more, plan for the future, and thrive.
At Splend, we help drivers take control of their income with PCO-ready EVs, fixed weekly costs, and full support every step of the way.
About Splend
At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.
That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.
Splend makes car ownership easier, more affordable and more accessible for PCO drivers by building everything they need to earn more, pay less and stress less into one affordable weekly payment. It’s smooth driving, with no surprises and the lowest total ownership cost you’ll find – which is how car ownership for PCO drivers should be. For more information about Splend, browse our available vehicles here, make an appointment at one of our London Hubs or call us on 0333 016 4331.