How Much Can a PCO Driver Earn in London 2025?

PCO driving is a decent career for those who love to drive. You are off to a good start if you have a good car and a PCO license and want to earn good wages in London. Working as a PCO driver allows you to work flexible hours and meet new people daily. With rideshare companies like Uber, Bolt, and Ola redefining the commuting culture, freelance drivers can rely on PCO driving to support their families with significant earnings. If you wonder what the PCO driver’s earnings are in London, we have some interesting facts to surprise you.

Earning With PCO Driving: The Variables

Before you anticipate figures, it is important to remember that freelance driving jobs have a few variables that directly affect your earnings. These variables may differ for each PCO driver in London based on their financial status and other constraints. We will start with the two basic variables in the PCO earning equation to give you an idea.

What You Drive: Since your earning source is the vehicle you drive; your vehicle status directly influences your income as a PCO driver. If you own a car, you can take home decent amounts at the end of the day. On the contrary, a vehicle subscription plan may divide your income into two parts (what you take home and what you pay for the subscription). The Time You Spend Driving: The second variable is the time you spend as an active PCO driver. Working in a rideshare company is as good as the time you are willing to give to it. The more you drive (picking up and dropping off passengers), the more you earn.

Factors Influencing the PCO Driver’s Income

London is a busy city, with many professionals heading to work daily. Driving through the peak hours may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Working with a rideshare company gives you a few small windows to boost your income. We have listed a few factors influencing your London PCO driver income.

Driving Hours

The time you pick for your PCO driving shift in London greatly influences your income. If you start your shift at 12:00 or 1:00 in the afternoon, you may not be able to make enough money. Peak hours raise the ride fares due to high demand. If you work in peak hours, you can earn more than most drivers who work in different hours. The best hours to earn more per ride are 7:00 AM-9:00 AM and 4:00 PM-7:00 PM.

Weather Changes

London is known for its abrupt weather changes. You may keep a weather bug for hourly updates to stay updated with the forecast. People prefer ridesharing when there is a chance of rain. Rainy weather increases the demand for PCO drivers in the city. The more the demand, the more the chances of making more money.

Driver’s Conduct

Good conduct never goes unnoticed. When working as a PCO driver, you may pay special attention to your conduct with the passengers. Keeping small treats in your car to welcome riders can create a good impact. Passengers love it when PCO drivers behave nicely. They pay good tips to accommodate them for their conduct.

PCO Driver Earnings in London: The Figures

PCO drivers do not have a fixed daily (or weekly) income. Their earnings vary based on the variables and influencing factors mentioned above. According to the latest Glassdoor insights, the average base pay of a PCO driver in London is £24,362/year. This figure varies for each driver depending on their driving experience, vehicle’s quality (model and comfort), and additional payments (tips, surges, etc.)

It is worth noting that the PCO driver earnings may also vary for each ridesharing company. Uber drivers may earn (slightly) less than Bolt drivers due to larger total payment shares and lower cancellation fees.

Costs to Bear as a PCO Driver

Your PCO driving earnings have much to do with your daily, weekly, and monthly costs. Since you need a vehicle to drive for several consecutive hours each day, you may bear a few maintenance costs to keep up the quality of your service. We have covered a few cost factors you should consider when determining earnings.

Rideshare Service Fee

PCO drivers (typically) work with a ridesharing company. Each company charges a service fee per ride to create a win-win equation. Uber charges 25%, Ola charges 5%-20%, Bolt charges 10%-20%, Free Now (Kaptan) charges 15%, and Green Tomato Cars charges no fee.

Vehicle Maintenance

Your PCO car will need periodic maintenance to keep up with its performance. Instead of bearing huge costs once every few months, you can spare some of your weekly earnings to carry out vehicle maintenance. Oil changes, wheel alignments, cabin service, and tyre maintenance are the few areas that require more attention.

Fuel Costs

Fuel costs can significantly affect your daily or weekly earnings as a PCO driver in London. You may have to bear more fuel costs when driving during peak hours. Switching to an EV is a good way to overcome the fuel cost factor. Electric vehicles are ideal for PCO driving in London. They can save you fuel costs while you drive during the peak hours in the city.

Congestion Charges

The government promotes a healthy environment in the city and takes necessary measures to accomplish this crucial objective. If you wish to drive in the busy London streets (peak hours), you must pay £15 daily (£2,500 annually).

Tax Amounts

PCO drivers are considered equal employees in London. Each PCO driver has to pay taxes based on the time they give to their job and their earnings. The tax amounts can vary based on your weekly or monthly income.

Insurance Costs

PCO drivers (who own their cars) have to pay PHV insurance costs in London to work. The insurance amounts can vary based on your vehicle’s model, driving history, and the total distance covered annually.

Final Thoughts

Want to become a PCO driver in London? G&M Direct Hire can help you accomplish your dream. The company provides quality PCO vehicles to freelance drivers that fit modern safety requirements. You can save fuel, drive comfortably, and impress your passengers with the comfort they expect. The G&M Direct Hire PCO rental service can be your best option to kickstart your private taxi career.