Uber has become an extremely popular taxi-booking service in many countries around the world, including the UK. Working as an Uber driver can be a great way to make a living and meet new people all the time.
As Uber insurance specialists (private hire insurance), as a taxi insurance comparison site we bring you this guide to becoming an Uber driver.
Below are the main requirements for becoming an Uber driver:
- You must hold a private hire taxi driver’s licence – Because Uber taxis need to be pre-booked and cannot be hailed from the street, you’ll need to have a private hire taxi drivers licence. The requirements for obtaining a licence vary depending on whether you live in or outside of London
- You must be eligible to drive – You’ll also need to be eligible drive. In addition to having a full UK driver’s licence and being at least 21 years old, you’ll also need to have the required number of years of driving experience. The amount of experience required will depend on the city you live in.
- You must have your own vehicle – Uber do not supply their drivers with vehicles so in order to work as an Uber driver, you’ll need to have your own vehicle. It’s a good idea to get a vehicle that’s practical in terms of space and economical to run.
Although the above requirements need to be met in order to work as an Uber driver, they’re not the only thing to consider. You should also think about whether you’re suited to working as a taxi driver, particularly if you’ve never done it before.
Below are some of the practical aspects of the job that you should be aware of –
- It can be dangerous – Although private hire taxi drivers generally face less risk than public hire drivers, it doesn’t mean that the job is risk-free. Although private hire cabs cannot be hailed from the street, you can still get drunk and/or aggressive passengers as well as those that refuse to pay.
- You’ll need to pay for your own insurance – In order to work as an Uber driver you’ll also need to get an Uber insurance policy. A standard policy will include cover for road risks as well as liability claims. You can also get additional cover such as personal accidents and breakdowns.
- It can be stressful – Driving a taxi can be a stressful job. Not only do you have to sometimes deal with difficult customers but simply driving in rush hour traffic can be a stressful affair. You should therefore think about how well you’re able to handle stress before taking the steps to become an Uber driver.