For many people in the UK, using an Uber is preferred over the traditional black cabs or private taxi services.
In fact, in London alone there are over 3.5 million regular users of the service, with over 40,000 registered drivers across the country in the cities Uber is set up in.
For many taxi drivers, parents and even part-time entrepreneurs, the opportunity to earn extra income as an Uber driver is very appealing – especially given the flexible hours and potential earnings. But how exactly does one become an Uber driver? We take a look at the things you will need to know.
The minimum requirements
There are certain criteria set by Uber that you must need in order to be eligible to drive with them. This includes:
- You must have a valid UK driver’s licence (if you have an EU one, it has to be converted to a UK licence)
- You need to be at least 21 years old
- Depending upon the area in which you are based, you will need a certain number of years driving experience in order to qualify.
You will need to provide the following documents to Uber in order to drive with them, so have these ready:
- National Insurance Number
- Electronic Counterpart Code (this can be sorted through the Uber website)
- Private Hire Paper licence (the original document, as well as supporting documentation if needed)
- Original UK Plastic Driving Licence
- Private Hire Insurance Certificate
- MOT that has been issued within the past 6 months
- Logbook
Private Hire Vehicle licence (PHV)
To become an Uber driver you will need to have a Private Hire Vehicle licence (PHV) , this is obtained from a local council that Uber is licensed by and it costs about £100 to obtain. If you do not currently have a PHV licence, Uber can help you with this.
When you sign up to become a driver, there is the option of booking a personalised ignition info appointment, where they provide you guidance and advice on getting licensed in the city that you will be working in.
This information programme is completely free to drivers, and you will receive support from Uber’s specially trained experts. If you do use this service, you will need to come in the Uber office and also have the following documents:
- Passport
- Proof of address
- National insurance number
- UK driving licence
Having the right car
Having a car, is unsurprisingly, quite important if you want to become an uber driver. However, there are stipulations in place as to what sort of car you can drive. For example, the vehicle will need to be at least 2008 or newer, and there may be additional requirements in place in the area you are based in, so it is important to check with your local Uber city team for more details. Generally speaking, popular Uber car choices are a MPV or saloon vehicle, a Mercedes ‘E-class’ or Toyota Prius.
However, not currently having a car isn’t necessarily the be all and end all when it comes to the prospect of being an Uber driver, it is still possible. Uber can provide rental options to drivers through their Vehicle Solutions programme. For further information about this service, consult the Uber website.
Car insurance
If you want to become an Uber driver, you will need to have ‘business use’ cover, which can cost considerably more than your standard car insurance policy, partly as it includes public liability insurance which is essential if you are driving customers. Therefore, you should take the time to thoroughly consider if it is worth paying for if you become a driver on a part-time or irregular basis. Do not take the risk of driving without this kind of insurance, as it could end up making your entire policy invalid. For more information, see uber insurance.
Registering online
In much the same way Uber makes it incredibly simple for users to get a taxi in a matter of minutes, so is the process for registering as an driver. Signing up online on their website is quick and easy. You get to state where in the country you want to drive in, as well as the type of license you have, and then you’re in business!