How To Become An Uber Driver In London (Step By Step Guide)

Becoming an Uber driver in the UK, unlike our friends across the pond in America, is unfortunately no easy task.

To be able to become an Uber driver in London you first have to receive your Private Hire Vehicle Licence (formerly PCO licence) issued by Transport For London (TFL) who seemingly drag the whole process out longer than it really should.

I personally know drivers who got their PHV licence in 4 months but most seem to take between 6 – 8 months.

The process does seem to be getting longer due to high demand so be prepared as it can be an arduous process.

The complete process for me, from start to finish took over 8 months.

That was just my experience, and it seems like there is clearly no set time frame for how long it will take you to receive your licence.

Luckily I was also employed in a full time job so it wasn’t too much of a problem for me.

If you are currently unemployed or in need of money, you can not afford to drag your feet and you should get the process started now.

This website was founded because of the lack of help and information out there, as I found myself trying to figure it all out on my own.

Granted, you can always go down to the Uber greenlight hub in London, but that means wasting a whole day and waiting hours in queue, only to be given sub-par information.

I have simplified the whole process for you with this step by step guide so you can get your PCO licence and become an Uber driver in the quickest, most efficient way possible.

Are you Ready To Start Earning Money As An Uber Driver?

Making the decision and commitment to becoming an Uber driver was one of the best decisions I have made for myself and my family.

It has allowed me to continue to support my family as it has grown. Being the sole earner of a family with a wife and 3 children in London was a constant financial challenge.

Driving for Uber has given me the ability to earn extra money in my spare time and the opportunity to better provide my family.

Before you decide to make the leap, I want to dispel some myths and set some realistic expectations and highlight a few things you need to consider:

#1: Do not read or listen to the negativity online – In today’s world of the internet where everyone has a voice and a screen to hide behind, it is so easy to be negative and insulting to each other without any consequences. Internet forums tend to be a breeding ground for these trolls who seem to be there only to spread their negativity and very rarely have anything positive to say. If I listened to everything I read online, I would have never made the move to become a Private Hire Driver as according to them, driving for Uber is the modern equivalent to slavery! Luckily for me, I personally new a few Uber drivers who where making good money and had seen first hand what kind of earnings I could expect, which gave me the confidence to finally apply.

#2: You Have To Be Willing To Work Hard – In my opinion, the people that are online complaining are the ones that are not putting in the hours. Anyone who spends hours on the internet is clearly not taking this gig seriously. I compare driving for Uber to being a fisherman. The ocean is the roads and the paying passengers are the fish and you just have to go out there and catch them. The longer you spend out there, the more money you will make. I am not condoning working 70 hours a week but it is also not a 9-5 job. You have to be motivated and willing to work hard, and if you do, YOU WILL reap the rewards.

#3: This Is Not A Job It Is A Business – As I mentioned before, this is not a 9-5 job. You have to run this like a business. When you drive for Uber you don’t actually work for Uber. You have to declare yourself , self employed and you will be your own boss. Just like any business, if you don’t run it properly, if you don’t work hard and if you aren’t smart with you finances and don’t plan ahead for maintenance and taxes, you will fail. Running a business is hard, but if you’r someone who doesn’t need a boss to hold their hand to tell them what to do and are self motivated, then YOU WILL SUCCEED!

* Finally, before you start the application make sure that you are eligible to apply *

Private Hire Driver New Application Mandatory Criteria

*You must be at least 21 years of age at the time of applying. There is no upper age limit, as long as you meet the other licensing requirements.

*You must hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland, or other EEA state driving licence for over three years.

*You must have the right to live and work in the UK.

*You must have undergone an Enhanced Criminal records check through the DBS.

*It is essential that all licensed drivers can communicate in English at an appropriate level. You need to satisfy TfL of your ability to meet this requirement by providing one of the following;

–A certificate from a test provider appointed by TfL confirming that your level of proficiency in the English language is at level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (“CEFR”) or above.

-Documentary evidence of a qualification (whether or not the qualification was obtained in the United Kingdom) on the basis of which TfL is satisfied that your level of proficiency in the English language is equivalent to level B1 on the CEFR or above.

If you still think that being a Private Hire Driver is the job for you and you want to be your own boss and earn money or your own schedule, then lets get started

The first step to becoming an Uber driver is to set up an account on the Uber website.

By clicking the button below, you will be taken to the Uber sign up page with your referral code pre-loaded.

Unfortunately Ubers sign up bonus’s are hit and miss so I can not guarantee that you will receive a bonus from them at this time.

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The first stage of applying for a TFL Private Hire Licence is completing an enhanced Disclosure and Barring service check (DBS) online.

All potential drivers have to go through an enhanced background check which searches your record for any criminal convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands as well as searching the adult or children’s barred lists to check that you are suitable to work with these groups. Local police are also able to add any information they have on file which they feel is relevant along with any other reasons you may not be suitable for working with the general public as a Private Hire Driver.

To apply for an enhanced DBS check you will need the following documents:

*Passport / EU ID Card

*UK / EU Drivers Licence

*National Insurance Number

*Utility Bill / Bank Statement (No older than 3 months)

*You DO NOT need to go down to the Uber Ignition Office to apply for the CRB check. This is something that anyone can easily do online*

Once you have your documents ready, click below to go to the GBG online disclosures page for you to register and start the application.

When registering, you will also need the Organisation (org) pin – 104172 and Secret word – tphcrb

Watch the video below if you get stuck.

At the end of the application you will be asked to print the document. If you can’t print the document straight away, still click print and then you will be able to save the document to print at a later date.

When you print the document, you will then need to take it along with all the identification documents you used in the application to a post office for verification purposes and to pay the fee of £56.85 + £7.15 postage.

Not all post offices provide this services so click the button below to find the closest post office to you and head on down with all your documents to complete the first stage.

Congratulations on Completing the first stage of the process and making that first step to being your own boss!

Soon after completing the DBS you will receive an email with login details where you can check on the progress of your application.

Now this is where the waiting game starts. Expect to wait anywhere between 3-4 weeks for the results of the DBS check.

Below is exactly how my process went. The first 2 stages progress very quickly but the 3rd stage is the one that takes the longest.

*10th September – Registered for DBS online.

*12th September – Application has progressed to the next stage of processing.

*13th September – Application has progressed to the next stage of processing.

*5th October – Application has progressed to the next stage of processing.

*6th October – Document sent out.

*The whole process for me took 26 days*

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Stage 2 of the application is checking that you are medically fit to drive passengers. This is done through a PCO Medical Examination otherwise known as a TPH/204.

I recommend that you get this done at your registered GP as the General Practitioner carrying out the assessment has to have access to your medical records. It can be a slightly more expensive way to do it this way but it is the CORRECT way to do it.

There are many companies advertising online who are cheaper but you do risk delaying your application or even worse having your medical application rejected if the medical practitioner carrying out the assessment did not have access to your medical records.

#TIP – According to the TFL ” One of the most common reason for delays in applications is missed questions on this form so make sure your doctor has answered every question”So please check your medical form before you leave your GP surgery.

In the medical examination you will be asked questions on the following:

*Cardiovascular

*Endocrine System

*Muskuloskeletal

*Neurological

*Psychiatric

*Vision

I was actually looking forward to getting a full medical examination, especially as it was costing me £105, but as you will see, it is literally a box ticking exercise which will take no more than 20 minutes.

The vision part of the assessment has to be carried out by an opticians prior to your medical assessment. You will need to book in a PCO eye test which cost me £10 at my local opticians but prices vary depending on where you get it done.

The optician needs to fill in the vision part of the TPH/204 form and stamp it, so make sure this is filled in and ready for you to take to your medical assessment.

Click below to download and print your medical assessment form which you need to take to your PCO Eye Test and Medical Assessment.

#TIP – Book your PCO eye test and Medical Assessment as soon as you have applied for your DBS.

I didn’t realised how long it could take to get an appointment for the medical assessment so I waited for my DBS to arrive before I booked it. This delayed me by over 5 weeks so don’t make the same mistake I did.

Ideally, as soon as your DBS comes through you want to have your Medical Assessment form fully completed and ready to be able to apply for your TFL licence.

Below is the time frame of my Medical Assessment being completed

*13th November – PCO eye test completed.

*16th November – Medical examination completed.

*GP missed out 2 pages on the Medical Assessment form so had to re book for the 19th November.

*19th November – Medical examination fully completed.

As you can see there is a gap of over 5 weeks between me receiving my DBS and completing the medical assessment. I made the mistake of waiting to receive the DBS before I booked the medical assessment not realising that there would be a long wait for an appointment at my local GP.

*So as to not delay your application further, I recommend you book in your PCO Eye Test and Medical Assessment as soon as possible.*

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Stage 3 of the application is where you officially apply for your TFL Private Hire/PCO Licence.

It is at this stage that it starts to feel real, as you upload all the relevant documents and pay the £310 licence fee.

When you first register your account on the TFL website you will be given 2 options.

Apply for drivers licence online or request driver licence application pack.

I opted to Apply for drivers licence online because I felt that it would be the quickest and most efficient method as TFL would have my completed application instantly, as opposed to requesting a pack to be sent to me, then having to send it back with the possibility of it getting lost or forgotten at the bottom of the hundreds if not thousands of other pending applications.

It was a very simple process of scanning all my documents and uploading them to the online application.

If your not computer literate and do not feel comfortable with this option then you can request for a driver licence application pack to be sent to your address.

Below is a list of all the documents you will need to have scanned (Online Application) or printed (Postal Application)

*A passport sized colour photograph of yourself – This can easily be taken with your mobile phone. ( Make sure to follow the Photo Guidelines)

*Passport- UK or EEA (Current and Valid)

*DBS code- A ten digit Reference Number (‘E-Number’) which would have been sent to your email address within 3 to 5 days of applying for your DBS application.

*A full copy of your medical assessment

*English language certificate (I used my O level certificates)

-TFL requires all Pivate Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers to have adequate English language skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening as these skills are essential for you to carry out your role as a PHV driver in London. –Read the English Language Requirement Guide to find out ore.

*A copy of your UK or EEA State driving licence (front and back of the photocard)
If you have a UK driving licence – The address on your DVLA driving licence needs to match the address you intend to use on your online application.

-If you have a EEA State driving licence – Along with a copy of the front and back or your EEA State driving licence, you will also be required to upload proof of your current UK address. This could be a bank statement or utility bill (NOT mobile phone bill). The address stated on the document you provide needs to match the address you intend to use on your online application.

Now you have all your documents ready, you can apply for your PCO licence by clicking the button below.

*If you are applying for your PCO licence online, clearly scan all of your documents making sure that all reference numbers and details are clearly visible as to not delay your application.*

*When you submit your application you will receive an email confirmation with a reference number which you will need to quote when you contact TFL. After a few days I recommend you call them on 0343 222 4444 to confirm that they have received your application and they are satisfied with all the documents you have submitted. (Be prepared to wait a minimum of 30 minutes)

*While your doing that you should also provide them with your DVLA check code which is a code that allows TFL to access your driving record.

Click here to access your check code.

*Be proactive with you application to ensure that you are covered every step of the way to minimise any wasted time or lengthy delays. Every day missed is another days earnings lost from not being out on the road!

Below is the time line for my licence application.

*24th November submitted application and received Email confirmation with application number.

*4th December received email inviting me too book topographical test.

*17th May received Email confirming that I have been granted my Private Hire Vehicle Licence.

*20th May Licence arrived in the post.

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Soon after you submit your application for your TFL PCO/ Private hire vehicle licence, you will receive an email inviting you to book your topographical assessment. (Map Test)

The topographical assessment is the final hurdle between you and your TFL PCO licence and the most important, as it is a test which you can fail.

Importantly, you only get 2 attempts at passing and if you fail the test twice you will have to re apply for your licence again, setting you back months and having to pay all the fees again.

When I took the topographical test I was advised that 50% of candidates would fail so my advice is to take the test seriously.

Failing the test could easily set you back a couple of months so you want to make sure you get this right the first time.

12 days after submitting my TFL licence online, I received the email from TFL inviting me to book the topographical assessment.

You can not book your topographical assessment until you receive the invite by TFL.

When I called to book the assessment, I was shocked to find out that there was a 2 month waiting list to carry out the topographical test at Ubers centre.

Uber are the cheapest at £50 for the test with a free re test if you fail, but I wasn’t willing to wait that long and I was going to make sure I passed first time round, so I opted for the test centre with the earliest test date.

When you call to book your map test you will have the choice of 8 test centres around London. I simply went with the centre that had the earliest test date, which was just under 5 weeks away.

I took my test at E-laws training at a cost of £60. If the date is convenient for you, I would highly recommend taking your topographical assessment there, as it seems like they are set up for the new computer based test which from my experience is much easier than the traditional written test.

Once you have booked in your test I highly recommend you start studying to familiarise yourself with the London Atlas

Don’t leave it to the last minute as I personally know people that have underestimated it and failed or just about scraped through.

Uber do offer free training at the Uber Ignition Centre so feel free to book that in if you think your going to need extra training.

I opted to do all the training myself as I wanted to continue the process of getting my TFL licence from start to finish on my own to be able to show you guys that it is possible and to pass on the experience and knowledge I gained along the way.

It ended up working out quite well as I received a pass mark of 81%.

The assessment will test all aspects of map reading skills:

1- Using indexes to identify points/locations
2- Using a map to identify directions and points/locations
3- To plan a route between two locations
4- To demonstrate knowledge of compass points within directional based questions.

Sections 1,2 tests your ability to navigate The Master Atlas Of Greater London.

Section 4 is straightforward and just requires some common sense and knowing the points on a compus.

Section 3 is where you will have to plan short, medium and long routes and is where the bulk of the points are and where most people slip up.

*You DO need to buy a copy to be able to study for the test. Click below for the latest price on Amazon*

In the written test you have to plan a medium, short and long route writing down every road, turn and roundabout along the journey.

On a computer based test you have 6 routes to plan by simply drawing lines using the mouse.

You will complete a computer based assessment a lot quicker that a written so there’s no need to rush. Take your time because once you have moved on to the next question, you can not go back to review your answers so make sure you are fully satisfied with your answer before you move on.

Below is an example of how you will plan a routine on the computer based test

https://youtu.be/GaZyBKLvj1E

To Access a full training course, click the button below.

Below is the time line from when I received the invitation to book the topographical assessment, receiving the results and finally my PCO licence.

*5th December topographical assessment booked for the 9th January

*9th January completed topographical test

*28th January received topographical assessment result.

*20 May received the Private Hire Vehicle Licence in the post.

What I recommend you do while you wait for your PHV licence.

As you can see, the whole process took 8 months from start to finish. 6 of those months being the time it took from applying for the licence and receiving it in the post. During this frustratingly long wait, there is a lot of things you can be doing to prepare yourself and learn everything you can about the private hire industry, Uber and all the other available platforms.

Dont wait to start learning on the job because thats what what most people do and statistically most people fail. Consider letting ME teach you everything you need to do (AND WHAT NOT TO DO!) to guarantee you success in your new career.