Uber Car Rental
Becoming an Uber Driver
To work for Uber, you must first obtain a private hire license from Transport for London – a requirement for all minicab & chauffeur drivers for uber car rental.
The Public Carriage Office, run by TFL, have provided a set of criteria to ensure new drivers are qualified to work on the streets of London. Once you’ve obtained the PCO Licence, also known as the Private Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence, you can operate as an Uber car rental London driver.
All of this is in line with PCO’s vision, which is to make sure all London drivers are safe, professional employees.
Requirements
To apply for a PCO license, the following areas need to be covered. If one is insufficient, you won’t be eligible for the application:
Minimum Age Requirement
To apply for a PCO License, you must
- Be a minimum of 21 years old
- Have been driving for a minimum of 3 years
The license itself must have been obtained from the UK, a Member State of the European Community (EC) or a European Economic Area (EEA). If obtained from either the EC or EEA, then you are required to obtain a UK counterpart document (DVLA).
Complete the Necessary Application Forms
There are several forms to fill out, all of which can be accessed from the TFL website. Both hard copies & digital copies are available on request, although online applications will be processed quicker.
The cost to apply is £250. If for whatever reason your application is rejected, £100 will be refunded.
Medical Proof of Your Wellbeing
TfL requires all London Taxi and Private Hire drivers to meet DVLA Group 2 medical standards. You’ll need to complete a Medical Declaration form (TPH/204) with a registered GP, ideally your own, as they’ll have access to your medical records. The exam takes about 30 minutes and costs between £80-£120, depending on your borough. The GP will assess your fitness and fill out the form based on DVLA criteria.
DBS Check
The Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check helps show you’re a safe, trustworthy, and law-abiding individual. It’s a way to reassure employers that you don’t have a criminal record or that any past offences aren’t severe enough to cause concern. For example, anyone with a history of violent/sexual crime will have their application revoked, ensuring safety and trust in workplaces and communities.
Living & Working Abroad Form
The Living & Working Abroad Form must be filled in for anyone who’s lived outside the UK for more than 3 months at a time in the last 3 years.
It’s very similar to DBS but applies to the country you lived in. Hence, it’s seen as a separate check and does not replace or stand in for the DBS check.
Topographical Skills Certificate
The ability to read maps & find the routes are referred to as topographical skills. These skills are a standard requirement for a private hire/mini cab driver.
Acquiring a topographical skills certificate will prove your credentials in this area. Uber has a TFL-approved topographical skillset programme in the form of Uber Ignition, which will reward you with £300 for completing 20 trips.
English Language Requirement
Transport for London require all private hire, uber car rental and minicab drivers to have a level of English suitable for the following:
- Transport the public from point A to point B
- Read the road signs, announcements & all communication from TfL
The following qualifications are seen by TfL as proof of one’s sufficiency in the English language:
- UK GCSE/O Level (or equivalent) certificate at grades A* to G
- UK A-Level/AS-Level Certificate
- A UK NVQ/B-Tech/City & Guilds qualification, alongside proof of it being like/the same as a GCSE or above
- UK HNC/HND Qualification
- SELT certificate at B1 level or higher (given from Trinity College London or IELTS)
If you have none of the above, you’ll need to attend a TfL approved language course/test centre to obtain a B1 English Level certificate, which will cost £200 to qualify for.
Becoming an Uber Driver
What documents are needed for a PCO License?
• DBS or CRB check
• Medical Declaration (TPH/204)
• Topographical Skills Certificate
• English Language
A more detailed explanation as to the usage & accessibility of these forms can be found on the Requirements section of the website.
How much is the total cost of applying for a PCO License?
The depending on whether you have the required documents already available, you could end up spending up to £600-£650 in fees & applications.
What is the estimated time completion?
The average length of time it takes for a decision to be made from TfL. If the medical or topographical tests are failed, or there’s inconsistency with the application, it could take up to 3-4 months.
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We are Pace Hire, specialising in PCO car hire, ready for UBER
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