2024 Uber Requirements for PCO Drivers

Written by: Majid Ismailzada

With service in over 40 cities and towns in the UK and more than 10 million active users, it’s likely estimated that an Uber is booked or used every five minutes. This means that around 5 million people use Uber every single day. The easy-to-understand business model of Uber makes it an in-demand and necessary option for PCO drivers who wish to earn a lucrative income. However, when it comes to registering yourself as a PCO driver for Uber, you will need to fulfil all the necessary requirements for your PCO car and yourself. Therefore, to make your sign-up for Uber easier, we have created a tell-all guide to teach everything you know about the 2022 Uber requirements for PCO drivers. 

Discover Uber Requirements for PCO Drivers

The Uber requirements for PCO drivers are the minimum specifications that your PCO car must meet in order to be eligible for ridesharing. Basically, when you apply for Uber, you will need to prove yourself as a capable PCO driver with a well-maintained vehicle. Even though these requirements aren’t challenging to meet, they help Uber establish a standard, minimise the chances of an accident, and ensure high-quality services nationwide.

PCO Driver Requirements

The personal PCO driver requirements to become an Uber driver include:

At least 21 years old.
Have auto insurance. 
Valid UK Licence.
Should have at least three years of driving experience.
 number.
Clean background. 
Should own a PCO Licence (Private Hire Drive Licence).
Have an approved tablet or smartphone – A single-sim 6.0 Android phone or a 9.3 IOS iPhone that has at least a wide 4.7-inch screen, an 8-core processor, and a minimum of 2 GB of RAM

Required Documents

To sign up as a PCO driver with Uber, you need to upload the following documents: 

Logbook.
Private Hire Insurance Licence (PHV).
MOT Test Certificate.
Insurance-supporting documents.
Insurance Certificate.

Profile picture: It must be centrally aligned, forward-facing, and should show your full face and the top of your shoulders. Avoid wearing sunglasses or using any props. 
DVLA Electronic Counterpart Check Code.
PCO Licence/Private Hire Driver Licence.
Bank Statement.
DVLA Plastic Driving Licence.
Proof of Identity. 
Complete a medical check.

When submitting the documents, ensure that all the details are clearly visible, all the borders of the page are visible, and all the information you entered during the registration process co-aligns with the documents.

Uber PCO Car Requirements

Don’t know which car is right for you? Here is a list of the basic PCO car requirements for Uber:

10 years old or newer.
The PCO car must be licenced to carry up to four passengers.
Minivan or 4-door car.
No salvage or restored title.
The model year should align with the licencing requirements; the licence plates should be registered and valid.
No commercial branding—it shouldn’t be a taxi or any marked vehicle. 
The overall condition of your PCO car should be good. This means there should be no signs of cosmetic damage.
If you own a vehicle that is 18 months old, make sure that it is ZEC (zero-emission capable). 
Meet the Euro 6 emission standard.
Must pass the vehicle inspection. 
Right-hand PCO cars only, as TLF doesn’t licence left-handed vehicles.

Looking for vehicle models and makes that are eligible to drive with Uber in the UK? Uber offers a wide range of rideshare services based on the service speed and the number of passengers. Here is a list of all the PCO car requirements for the different categories.

Due to the drastic increase in global warming, Uber has made its mission to promote “Zero-Emission” or “Green” PCO cars. This includes hybrid and electric vehicles such as Tesla, Kia Optima Hybrid, Honda Insight, Ford Fusion, and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. This service has a unique benefit as the riders are given a surcharge of £1, which is distributed equally among Uber’s zero-emission projects and the PCO driver. To qualify as an Uber Green vehicle, you should fulfil the following requirements:

The PCO car should be electric or hybrid. 
4-door vehicle in good condition.
It should seat at least four to five passengers comfortably. 
younger than 10 years old.

Uber XL is one of the premium rides that rideshare service providers offer. It has a vast storage space and is often used for trips to the airport. Uber XL vehicles include the Honda Pilot, Dodge Caravan, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota Sienna. Want to earn higher fares by seating extra passengers in your Uber XL? Ensure that your PCO car meets the following requirements:

It should seat at least six passengers and a PCO driver.
It should not be a truck or a full-sized van. 
It shouldn’t be a commercial vehicle.
Good condition.

Uber X is your standard PCO car, which can serve up to four passengers. The service category includes several mid-sized rides such as the Civic, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, Honda Accord, and Toyota Prius. The Uber X vehicle requirements are as follows:

No trucks or full-sized vans.
4-door vehicle in good condition.
Five factory-installed seatbelts.
It should seat at least four passengers comfortably. 
It shouldn’t be a commercially marked or government vehicle.

PCO Car Inspection, Driving Record Check, and Background Check

To ensure that your PCO car is safe for passengers, Uber requires your vehicle to undergo a full inspection. During the inspection process, professionals look at and test your car’s mechanical and safety features, such as seat belts, lights, brakes, and tires. After you have cleared the inspection, Uber calls their partners at Checks to run a thorough driving record and background check on your vehicle. They typically go back seven years into your history (or as long as you have served) to ensure there are no traffic violations or charges against you. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to become a part-time Uber PCO driver or a full-time one, you need to fulfil all the above-mentioned requirements to start driving. Now that you know everything about the 2022 Uber requirements for PCO drivers, contact G&M Direct Hire to help you select a unique, flexible, and affordable Uber car rental plan according to your needs.