How to become an Uber driver in London

Want to become an Uber driver in London? We’ve outlined everything you need to know, from signing up and getting your PCO licence to meeting PHV requirements and securing insurance. The process can feel overwhelming, but Splend makes it easy with flexible PCO car subscription plans and expert support to get you on the road hassle-free.

Sign up with Uber London

If you want to join Uber in London and get Uber support, here are the general steps you need to take:

• Download the Uber Driver app

• Upload required documents

• Complete an online Uber information session

• Book an in-person onboarding session at the Uber Greenlight Hub in London.

Uber Driver Requirements in London

• Be at least 21 years old

• Have at least 3 years of driving experience

• Have a valid UK driver’s licence (EU/foreign licences must be converted before onboarding)

• Have an approved smartphone or tablet. iPhones and iPads running iOS 9.3 or later or single-sim devices running Android 6.0 and up with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, an 8-core processor and a screen size of at least 4.7”

• Have an eligible car

• Have a Private Hire Driver Licence (PCO licence)

How do I get a PCO licence?

PCO stands for the Public Carriage Office, which is a department of Transport for London (TfL). The PCO licence is an essential document that allows you to drive for Uber or other rideshare apps in London. It’s basically a licence for you, as a driver.

Its official name is Private Hire Driver Licence (PCO licence), but most people simply call it a PCO licence. Don’t let this confuse you.

Here are the general steps you need to follow:

1. Have the following documents ready

• Passport

• UK driver’s licence (with at least 3 years of driving experience)

• National insurance number

• Proof of address (bank statement/utility bill dated within the last 3 months)

• Your debit or credit card to make the necessary payments

• DVLA Check Code a.k.a. Electronic Counterpart Code (you can generate this here)

• Additional documents if you have changed your name or lived abroad over the last 3 years

2. Complete an enhanced DBS check

As part of your PCO application, you need to complete an enhanced background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). A DBS check for private hire drivers is necessary because it determines that you are suitable to drive the public and it also helps your future passengers feel safer.

3. Get a medical exam

Complete the Private Hire Medical form. Print the TPH/204 medical form and have it signed by your General Practitioner. If your GP does not offer the eye test, you’ll need to do it elsewhere.

4. Get the right to work check

You must confirm that you're allowed to work in the UK.

For that, you will need to fill an online check completed by TfL on the Government website after you submit the PCO licence application. If something is not clear, you might be asked to provide extra documents for a manual check. If you have lived outside the UK in the past 3 years, for 3 months or more, you have to complete the Living and working abroad form.

5. Register with HMRC

As a new applicant, you need to prove that you acknowledge the HMRC guidance about your tax obligations in the UK by completing a tax check guidance form.

6. Complete the Safeguarding awareness training course

Before taking the English test, you must complete the online Safeguarding Awareness training course. This course contains important information on protecting children and vulnerable adults at risk from harm and abuse, a topic covered by the SERU assessment from the TfL English test.

7. Take the TfL English test

In order to be an Uber driver in London, TfL requires a good level of English language. For proving your skills, you need to take a test that consists of two parts:

• The SERU (safety, equality, and regulatory requirements) assessment to evaluate reading and writing abilities, as well as to determine the understanding of safety and equality matters

• The speaking and listening assessment to evaluate conversational skills

8. Submit your PCO application online

To do this, register here, sign in and follow the instructions.

9. Take the TfL topographical test

Once you’ve submitted your Private Hire Driver licence application, you will be invited to take a topography test with TfL (map-reading).

Uber Vehicle Requirements in London

The general Uber car requirements in London are rather flexible and are not that difficult to meet:

• Model year in line with local licensing authority requirements

• 4-door car with independently opening doors

• Good condition with no cosmetic damage

• No commercial branding

• No salvaged or rebuilt cars

• All vehicles must be licensed to carry a minimum of 4 passengers

Additionally, Transport for London (TfL) requires that private hire vehicles licenced for the first time:

• Must have a valid Private Hire Vehicle Licence

• Must be zero-emission capable and meet the Euro 6 emission standard

Since TfL is the authority granting the PHV licence you need to drive your car with Uber, it's important to make sure you comply with both Uber and TfL requirements.

To make sure you comply with requirements on all sides, you might want to look into electric cars.

There are lots of reasons to get an EV. Whether it's the money you save or the sheer experience of driving one, it's now even easier to gain access to an electric car with different incentives offered to drivers, such as the Uber Clean Air Plan, that can help you get a discount on Splend Flexi Try and Flexi Own Plans.

DID YOU KNOW? Splend is now an official Uber Clean Air Plan partner in London. Drivers can now use their Uber Assistance savings to own an EV on a flexible, all-inclusive plan tailored for PHV drivers.

How do I get a PHV licence?

The PHV licence is the same as the PCO licence, except it’s a licence for your car. It proves that your car meets ridesharing service standards and that it’s been approved by TfL.

1. Make sure you have the required documents ready and that they are valid

• Vehicle Registration Certificate a.k.a. logbook (V5c) or (AFRL) certificate

• Certificate of “hire & reward” insurance

• MOT certificate – issued within the last 14 days (not applicable to new cars in the first 12 months after registration)

• Your debit or credit card to make the necessary payments

Depending on the situation, you may need additional documents:

• Existing PHV vehicle licence (for licence renewal only)

• Any vehicle modification documents (if applicable)

• Voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval – VIVA (for personal imports and left-hand drive vehicles)

• Certificate of conformity (if required)

• Other relevant documentation relating to the vehicle (if applicable)

2. Apply online for a PHV licence

Once you have all documents ready, the next step is to apply for a PHV licence online.

3. Get a car inspection

The next step is to have your car inspected. You can either book an appointment at one of TfL’s licenced inspection centres or you can call the vehicle contact centre on 0343 222 5555.

New to Uber Driving FAQ's

Do I need car insurance to drive with Uber?

In order to use your car for ridesharing, you must have a Private hire insurance (PHV insurance), that’s slightly different from a standard personal car insurance. Uber doesn’t offer any kind of insurance to its drivers, so you’re in charge of this aspect. However, they do partner with various insurance providers, like Acorn, Inshur, and Zego, where you can easily get Uber-approved rideshare insurance. 

There are 3 levels of PHV cover you can choose from:

• Third-party - covers others in an incident, plus your passengers – not you or your car

• Third-party, fire & theft - third party cover plus your vehicle also covered for fire damage or if it’s stolen

• Fully comprehensive - covers everything.

Additionally, Uber drivers also need to take out public liability cover. This covers any claims made against you by passengers or members of the general public who may be involved in an accident while you’re driving.

How can I access Uber support?

If you need help with anything, you can contact Uber for support via:

• The Uber Driver app - from the Help section, Call Support is available 24/7

• Uber website - from the dedicated support section 

• Uber Greenlight Hub - for specific issues, you can book an in-person appointment from the Help section in the Uber app.

How can Splend help me become an Uber driver in London?

Splend is more than a car subscription company. We provide you with a safe and reliable new-model car for rideshare, but that’s just part of the story. As a Splend customer, you get the full service from day 1, meaning that besides the car, we provide coaching and training to make sure you are successful. Here’s how we can make your job easier:

No paperwork for your car

Our fleet meets all the rideshare requirements, so there’s no paperwork you have to do for your car. Splend’s cars are brand new and provide the highest comfort and safety for you and your passengers. This also guarantees customer satisfaction and will earn you high driver ratings.

PHV licence

All Splend cars have a valid PHV licence, so once your personal documents are in order, you can just start driving and let us handle any paperwork.

Car insurance

The weekly subscription fee includes comprehensive rideshare insurance. Besides being covered in case of an accident, this means less paperwork for you.

Car inspection

At Splend:

• All cars are inspected by licensed mechanics

• We cover the six-monthly MOT

• We schedule appointments and notify you in good time. You just have to take the car to the specified centre.

Dedicated support

As a Splend Customer, you receive a dedicated Customer Specialist to support you to become successful on the roads. They provide you with business mentoring, offer tips & tricks support, and data-driven feedback.

24/7 roadside assistance

Whether your car broke down, ran out of fuel or had an accident, our team is available 24/7 to assist you with what you need to do.

Maintenance

Our customers never have to worry about wear and tear or warranty issues. New tires, oil changes, brake pads – you name it, we cover it.

Additional customer benefits

When you become a Splend customer, you gain access to special deals and discounts:

• Access to the Splend Customer app, which allows you to track earnings and expenses

• Enrolling in our Driver Success Program, which uses real-time data to provide feedback on improving your driving behaviour. This helps decrease fuel or charging costs, as well as the chance of being involved in an accident.

• Partner discounts – fuel discounts, Self Assessment tax returns

• Access to exclusive customer events

When you become a Splend customer, you also get access to the Splend Customer App, which allows you to track earnings and expenses. You will also be enrolled into our Driver Success Program which uses real-time data to provide feedback on improving your driving behaviour. This helps decrease fuel or charging costs, as well as the chance of being involved in an accident.

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.