An Uber driver in his taxi used for our guide

Starting off with Uber: a helpful guide

Uber has become increasingly popular for its ease of use and convenience. Our blog will go through some of the tips and tricks worth knowing when starting riding for Uber in the UK.

What is Uber

Uber is a location-based app that allows you to book taxi journeys over the phone. The app uses a GPS system that locates available taxis near your location. Wherever you are you can quickly book a journey on your phone and the payment is made automatically using your card details.

Uber operates in most cities and regions in the UK, with 45000 drivers operating in London alone.

Uber requirements

There are two types of requirements you need to meet before driving for Uber.

Driver Requirements

There are a few driver requirements you must meet before you can become an uber driver. These are:

  • You must be over 21
  • You will need a valid driving license, and at least 1-year driving experience, or three years if you are under 23
  • A background check which includes an enhanced DBS check must be passed
  • You must have a car insurance policy that allows you to transport people (private hire insurance).

If you meet all these requirements you can start considering your vehicle’s requirements to drive for Uber.

Vehicle Requirements

For your car to be accepted by Uber, it needs to be able to carry a minimum of 4 passengers. Your vehicle’s model year must be from at least 2006 in all areas of the UK except for London, where it needs to be from at least 2008. Your vehicle must also be in good condition, with no cosmetic damage or commercial branding.

Drivers are often surprised to find out there are different vehicle regulations for Uber depending on your country, region, or city. Vehicles must meet specific car requirements from the areas they are based in. For example:

See our list of top 10 vehicles for a taxi service in the UK here

Uber Insurance

Getting the correct uber insurance for drivers is also very important. To offer this type of service you will need a private hire insurance policy. Private hire vehicles are only licensed to collect pre-booked journeys and are not allowed to pick up customers from the side of the road.

Tips to do well as an Uber driver

Get to know the app

This may seem basic to some but understanding the app is one of the best ways to do well as an uber driver. Understanding the ins and outs of the app such as understanding surges or knowing the most popular times to drive can all help you drive smarter and make more money.

Get to know the City

Getting to know the city you are operating in is pivotal to being a good uber driver. Yes, you will have the app to guide you, but it’s also good to plan and practice routes to popular destinations or transport hubs, so you can be reactive to any unexpected traffic and roadworks.

Driver Destinations

Learning how to set up a driver destination should be something you do as soon as you start driving with Uber. This will allow you to pick a destination (e.g. home) and the app can match you with trip requests going towards that destination. This helps you maximize your income, even when you are driving for personal reasons.

The 5-Star Ratings

Uber’s research has said that one of the easiest ways to achieve a 5-star rating is with a smile. Having a positive attitude can be very helpful in your Uber, as it makes drivers feel safe in your company. Engaging with riders can also go a long way as they will be more likely to give you 5 stars if you do so. Offering complimentary extras like sweets or water can also increase your chances of being highly rated.

Uber Eats

Whilst you are working with uber it’s also a good idea to work with Uber Eats. As well as being a good way to increase your income, it will be a helpful way to learn the roads in your city you work in.

Delivering food might not have been your number one plan when you joined the uber app but it’s good to have some extra money coming in at idle taxi times, and food delivery can do that. Download the uber eats app and give it a go, if it’s not for you you don’t have to continue, as the best part of uber is that it is all down to you.

Be aware, you will need to have the correct level of cover to be a courier driver

As you can see there are a lot of things to consider before becoming an uber driver. When you make the decision to embark on the Uber journey make sure you use Quote the Market. We will find the best prices for your insurance.

Quote The Market compares some of the top taxi insurance providers, so we can provide you with some of the lowest insurance quotes on the market. Our site works just like a normal price comparison website. This means the days of sign up forms and endless callbacks are over! With Quote the Market you will be able to compare taxi insurance prices on our site and find the best deals for you.

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