Ridesharing apps don’t just offer a convenient, safe, and affordable commuting option for passengers in London; they’re also a source of income for hundreds and thousands of PCO drivers who want to earn a steady income in today’s fluctuating economy.

Companies like Uber, Lyft, Bolt, Ola, Free Now, and Via Van are some of the most excellent ridesharing service providers in the UK. So if you’re ready to register as a PCO driver on these platforms, G&M Direct Hire’s team is here to share an excellent guide to help you with it.

So continue reading to learn how to swiftly register as an Uber or Bolt driver.

Become a Licensed PCO Driver

PCO is short for Public Carriage Officer. It’s a licence awarded by the department of Transport of London to qualifying individuals who work for Uber or any other rideshare app in London. To register as a PCO driver, you need your documents, including your passport, UK national driving licence, national insurance number, proof of address, debit/credit card, DVLA check code, and any additional documents. To complete your PCO application in London, you must also complete an advanced background check via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The latter check is a type of assurance for passengers and ridesharing companies that you can and are suitable to drive in public.

 A Toyota EV for rent

Rent a PCO Car

PCO licence holders must have a maintained PCO car to qualify as a ridesharing company driver in London. A few general requirements that your PCO car must fulfil include:

  • Well-maintained condition
  • No internal or cosmetic damage
  • Newer models, for example, Uber doesn’t accept PCO cars older than 2008 plates
  • No display of private or commercial messages and ads
  • Must have Euro 6 grade if your car is over 18 month-old and zero emission grade if less than 18 months old

Insurance

PCO drivers must also drive an insured vehicle if they want to become ridesharing app drivers. So you should rent a PCO car with comprehensive coverage that includes passengers’, driver’s, and the vehicle’s protection

Insured PCO cars

Check out the EV fleet and PCO cars for rent available at G&M Direct Hire in London. Their cars are fully insured, available at reasonable rates, and approved for rideshare insurance.

Additional Tips for Aspiring Ridesharing App PCO Drivers in London

There are hundreds of full-time PCO drivers in London, and many are interested in becoming one to earn a supplemental income. This means that the competition among ridesharing companies is growing by the day, and they’re actively hunting for expert PCO drivers in the country.

So as an aspiring Uber or Bolt driver, you need to develop and polish certain skills to improve your chances of becoming a successful ridesharing app employee in London.

Here are a few tips by G&M Direct Hire’s team that is focused on building a lucrative market landscape for PCO drivers in the city:

  1. Improve your communication skills. As a PCO driver in London, you’ll have to cater to passengers from diverse backgrounds. You will also come across people from different languages and multicultural countries. Therefore, you should improve your communication skills to make your passengers feel safe and satisfied.
  2. Be empathetic and learn how to listen to your passengers. If you want to ensure your clients have a comfortable experience with you, it’s best to avoid having a conversation about a personal matter.
  3. Improve your driving skills. This is a general rule of thumb to succeed as a ridesharing app driver by conveying professionalism and expertise.
  4. PCO drivers should opt for an electric vehicle for rent to increase their savings and optimize earnings as rideshare drivers. EVs are exempted from congestion charges in the country and allow PCO drivers to mitigate rising fuel expenses.

Ready to Rent a PCO Car in London? Head Over to G&M Direct Hire Now

G&M Direct Hire is a reputable PCO car rental company offering a wide range of electric, hybrid, and traditional car rentals in London. Their fleet includes various options by Kia, Nissan, and other brands. If you’re a PCO driver looking for Mustang Mach E, Kia E-Niro, or Nissan Leaf for hire, G&M Direct Hire is your answer.

PCO cars for rent in London

The company offers trusted and insured cars for PCO drivers who work for Uber, Bolt, Lyft, and other ride-hailing companies. Learn more about their driver guidelines here or cruise through their PCO car options now. Call them for more details.