PCO (Private Hire Driver Licence) (2023)

FAQs

How long does a PCO license take to get? ›

How long does it take to get the PCO licence? It generally takes between 12-16 weeks for your PCO application to be fully processed.

PCO stands for the Public Carriage Office. They run a special Department of Transport for London (TfL), which is awards a Licence to those who wish to work as mini cab drivers in London. The PCO Licence, also known as Private Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence is essential to work as a mini cab driver or a Chauffeur.

An average PCO driver earns around £20,000 to £30,000 per year. On the other hand, the average rate per hour of a UK-based PCO car is £9 to £15, which can boost up to £18 to £25 based on certain factors such as driving on Saturday evenings, bank holidays, or peak hours.

The most important document that you need to work as an Uber driver is a PCO licence, which is technically called a Private Hire Licence (PHL). In London, these licences are issued by TfL (Transport for London).

PCO cars are Uber-ready four-door cars and minivans. In other words, they meet all TfL requirements for personal transport, and have a valid Private Hire Vehicle Licence (PHV licence). The PHV licence is the same as the PCO licence, but for your car—it's proof that TfL has approved the car for private hire use.

Average Uber Driver Earnings. The average Uber driver earns between $8.55 and $11.77 per hour. Those figures will vary when influenced by the factors we have discussed, such as the particular Uber service provided, Uber's pricing schematics, and the number of hours worked in total by the driver.

What score do you need to pass the topographical test? You need to score at least 60 out of 100 to pass the TfL topographical test.

UK Uber drivers earn an estimated average of £7.88 per ride. Based on two rides per hour, that's an hourly rate of £15.76. So a 30-hour week would earn you an income of £472.

PHV drivers are required to undertake a topographical skills assessment unless they can prove to TfL that they should be exempt from this requirement (a concession). One such concession is for individuals who can provide TfL with evidence of a relevant vocational qualification in road passenger transport.

What happens after passing topographical test? ›

Once the test is completed, you will be notified of the results after some days. When a PCO driver candidate passes their test, they will be taken to complete the remaining procedures. Following this, they will receive the PCO license after a few weeks. The entire process, from start to finish, can take up to 16 weeks.

You need to get a PHV operator licence from your local authority if you want to run a business as a private hire vehicle (PHV) operator. You'll also need driver and vehicle licences if you're working as a one-person operator.

Overall, driving for Uber is still a worthwhile side hustle for many people. You're not going to get rich driving people around in your spare time, but it's a flexible way to make extra money.

You can also turn the app on to work for a few hours then turn it off to eat dinner with your family or pick your kids up for school. In that respect, Uber really is the perfect part-time gig. You can earn $15 – $20 per hour on average, but only work the exact hours you want.

Nimblefins research indicates you can expect to earn between £9-£15 per hour driving for Uber—before taking into account the costs of driving. It may, in the right circumstances, be possible to up this into the £16-£18 per hour range, but most drivers only find rates like this on busy Friday or Saturday nights.

Passport. DVLA or EU Drivers License (with 3 years driving experience) Completed medical form. DBS e-number (found on your certificate)

Have the necessary driving experience. The number of years varies depending on the city you'll be offering an Uber service in – for example, in London, a minimum of three years' driving experience is required.

Which car is best for PCO? ›

To do so, the vehicle owner must login to www.onemotoring.lta.gov.sg > Digital Services > Convert Vehicle Type or Scheme and complete the conversion, where a $100 administrative fee will be charged.

The regulations have changed and from the 1st of April 2012 you will not be able to licence a vehicle for the first time if it is over 5 years old. Any vehicle, which has been licensed prior to April 2012, can remain licensed for up to 10 years from the manufacture date (subject to a yearly renewal).

Uber drivers earned an average of $13.76 per trip in the first quarter, while Lyft drivers brought in $13.03 per trip. Once again, gross earnings steadily went up over the first three months of 2022. Uber drivers earned $12.53 per trip in January, and $13.32 in February.

More than 25% The amount that Uber says it charges their drivers is 25%, but it actually takes a little more than that from their earnings. This is all due to the fact that some additional fees are taken by rideshare companies, resulting in a higher percentage for the cut.

Uber's average pay to drivers seems to hover around $15-22. Average Uber drivers working 20 hours per week would make around $370.

You only have 2 attempts at the topographical test, if you fail twice you will need to submit a new application to TFL and start the process again.

As of yesterday TFL were processing applicants that had received the topographical pass results on the 15th February, so I'd say your looking at 4-6 weeks from being notified of passing the test.

What score do you need to pass the topographical test? You must score at least 60 out of 100 to pass. This sounds high but it's only slightly more than half the marks. If you stay calm and use the full two hours carefully, you should get the test result you need to pass.

The cost of insurance for Uber drivers varies depending on the level of cover you choose, your driving history and the type of vehicle you own. On average, private hire drivers with a good driving record can expect to pay around £180 for a 30-day policy, or £1,600 for an annual policy.

Can I drive Uber in another city UK? ›

Looking for Uber locations near you? You can drive with Uber in most regions of the UK, including major cities such as London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Leeds. . Learn a little more about cities with Uber UK and discover some of the most common trips in each location.

The average Bolt driver can earn up to £1,100* per week in London. If you're driving in other cities where we operate, outside London, earnings can vary up to £1000 to £800 per week depending on your city. *Figure based on top 20% of highest Bolt earners in December 2021 and January 2022.

Anyone who applies for a new PHV driver's licence on or after 1 April 2023 will be required to take and pass both the English language speaking and listening test and SERU assessment before they can be licensed.

SERU is about everything you should know about being a driver. However, if you fail (60% pass mark), TfL will assume that your English isn't sufficient as you were unable to read the Drivers Handbook and understand it – so your licence will be revoked.

Any individual who intends to apply for a Taxi Driver's Licence must first sit and pass the Council's Topographical Test of Knowledge. The test aims to ensure that all Taxi Drivers have a knowledge of the City including the layout of its roads and the location of landmarks.

From 1 November 2021, all Topographical testing will be undertaken at our (TfL) driver assessment centres at Baker Street and West Kensington. The TfL Topographical test (if taken on or after 1 November 2021) costs £36 and a re-take costs £16.

It can take up to 6 weeks for a renewal to be processed, so it's safe to say don't leave it too late otherwise your licence may expire and you won't be able to work if it runs out not only because you're unlicensed but also because it will mean your insurance policy will be invalid too.

The TFL Numerical Reasoning psychometric tests are designed to measure your numerical abilities and relate to graphs, percentages and tables whereby you will be asked to analyse data and chose from a set of multiple choice answers. This type of test is normally timed and usually you are given a minute per question.

It generally takes 12 to 16 weeks for your PCO licence application to be fully processed.

How do I become a private taxi driver UK? ›

TfL will sometimes issue a PCO licence to new drivers who already have up to nine penalty points on their driving licence but it might affect your ability to get insurance.

Once the test is completed, you will be notified of the results after some days. When a PCO driver candidate passes their test, they will be taken to complete the remaining procedures. Following this, they will receive the PCO license after a few weeks. The entire process, from start to finish, can take up to 16 weeks.

What score do you need to pass the topographical test? You need to score at least 60 out of 100 to pass the TfL topographical test.

PHV drivers are required to undertake a topographical skills assessment unless they can prove to TfL that they should be exempt from this requirement (a concession). One such concession is for individuals who can provide TfL with evidence of a relevant vocational qualification in road passenger transport.

You don't need to be the owner of the car you use for PCO driving. As long as it has a valid PHV licence and hire and reward insurance, you're good to go.

To do so, the vehicle owner must login to www.onemotoring.lta.gov.sg > Digital Services > Convert Vehicle Type or Scheme and complete the conversion, where a $100 administrative fee will be charged.

Average Rs 70,775 per month.

Is private hire taxi a good job? ›

Becoming a private hire taxi driver offers ample opportunity to make a good living, meet people from all backgrounds and flexible working. It places you in the driving seat of your own career – in the most literal sense of the term too.

Having a criminal record doesn't instantly disqualify you from getting licensed but if you do have any previous convictions then they will be assessed on a case by case basis using the following criteria: Nature of the offence(s) Circumstances in which any offence was committed. Circumstances of the individual ...

All applicants for the PCO-Licence need to do the Enhanced CRB check (except those people meeting the exemptions rules) regardless of how long they have been living in the UK. However, you will have to list all your addresses for the past 5 years.

Average Uber Driver Earnings. The average Uber driver earns between $8.55 and $11.77 per hour. Those figures will vary when influenced by the factors we have discussed, such as the particular Uber service provided, Uber's pricing schematics, and the number of hours worked in total by the driver.