How do Uber fares work for PCO drivers in London?

There are many types of Uber fare so it’s vital to know how these work for private hire drivers. This post will explain everything.

It doesn’t help that these fare categories change over time or between locations. For instance, UberPool was dropped during the pandemic and has reappeared in some cities as Uber X Share but not in London – yet.

Many PCO drivers also ask what the Uber vehicle requirements are in London and this is another confusing topic, as there are so many categories in the Uber app. Some Uber fares involve the driver having a specific type of car – such as an EV to be eligible for Uber Green – while others demand experience or training.

Uber Black doesn’t even exist as an option in the UK and so riders must choose Uber Exec or Uber Lux. Also, the Uber Black Cab fare is purely for London black taxis and so irrelevant to most Uber partners.

Knowing what all of these options mean will help you understand how much do Uber drivers make in London. Let’s dig into how they work for PCO driver earnings and see what a typical Uber price looks like for the same ride.

Uber X (£24.36)

The standard Uber tier is still the most popular one. Fares for Uber X are lower than the other tiers but higher demand means you will get lots of extra rides to make up the numbers. With Uber X Priority, the riders agree to pay an extra 10% or so in return for a faster pickup.

In London, you need a suitable PCO car which is legally able to carry four passengers plus a TfL licence and rideshare insurance. Broadly speaking, the car must be less than ten years old but the rules are stricter for newly licensed drivers.

Did you know?

You can see Uber’s list of approved cars for London here and search it for specific fare categories.

Uber Green (£24.35)

This is Uber’s big push to make London more sustainable and is open to all PCO drivers with an EV in Greater London. Note that plug-in hybrids are ineligible. Drivers earn 10% extra per trip for Uber Green, even though the rider pays more or less the same fare.

Uber Green passengers get a 10% discount at London Heathrow as part of Uber’s new perks for EV drivers called Green Curb. It’s likely Uber will add incentives for riders and many already prefer EVs. In short, Uber Green is the new Uber X.

Did you know?

New for 2024 is the expansion of Uber EV assistance programme called the Uber PowerUp Package, which gives London non-EV drivers up to a £5,000 subsidy to switch, plus other benefits.

Uber XL (£37.37)

This is for groups of up to six passengers or those with lots of luggage. For this reason, Uber XL is popular among families with pushchairs or on airport runs. Drivers need a 7-seater PCO car that is either a large SUV or a people-carrier like the VW Sharan.

Uber is more relaxed about the exact age of vehicles working in the XL category. A few EVs do qualify for both Uber Green and Uber XL, such as the Citroen E-Berlingo XL or even the (8-seater) Peugeot e-Traveller Allure. The issue is that the range of both of these cars is only around 220 miles (WLTP).

Did you know?

Fares are significantly higher on Uber XL (roughly 60%). However, as with most categories, you must also take on some Uber X jobs whenever these premium ones dry up.

Uber Pet (£29.36)

This Uber fare is for riders who cannot bear to travel without their furry friend – so long as it’s either a dog or a cat. Drivers get a small extra payment – and Uber will even charge the rider a cleaning fee if the dog makes a mess in the car.

But there are some issues to chew on for the driver here. Cleaning animal fur left on the car seats is not compensated by Uber – and if your next passenger has asthma, they might leave a poor review.

Did you know?

Remember that PCO drivers must always transport riders with a service animal, such as a guide dog, on Uber X without any extra money.

Uber Comfort (£30.29) + Business Comfort (£32.40)

Some people are happy to pay a higher fare (around 20%) for trips that are more comfortable than Uber X yet cheaper than Uber Exec. To qualify, the driver must complete 500 Uber trips, while maintaining a rating of at least 4.85 and have an eligible PCO car. In simple terms, this is a mid-sized model with decent legroom that is no more than 7 years old in London, or 10 years for the rest of UK.

Did you know?

You can learn more about this tier in our guide about how Uber Comfort works. For riders with a business account, Uber Business Comfort is much the same idea but adds priority support.

Uber Exec (£45.73)

Many new PCO drivers are attracted to the idea of Uber Exec like moths to flame but the rules are strict. First, you must have what Uber calls a ‘mid-tier luxury’ vehicle – such as the Audi A6 or Volvo S60 – which is no more than six years old. You also need to complete 1,000 Uber trips with a minimum driver rating of 4.9. How are you doing so far? Any Uber partner who meets these criteria will automatically get Exec jobs whenever they are available.

Did you know?

Be warned that while you will make more money per trip on Uber Exec, the cost of these cars is high and rider demand is much lower.

Uber LUX (£70.36)

This is the most luxurious tier – and the highest paid option, at almost three times the price of the same Uber X fare. The basic rules are the same as Uber Exec but the list of cars includes only 7 brands, such as Jaguar or Range Rover. Even then, you are limited to specific models (eg for Jaguar it’s only the XJ or XJL). If you already have a suitable vehicle, this is a great way to make extra money. For most PCO drivers, it’s an unrealistic cost.

Did you know?

Uber’s target is to be 100% electric in London by 2025 – and the only EVs that are currently eligible for Uber Lux are the Mercedes EQS or the BMW i7. Don’t say nobody told you.

Uber Assist (£24.36)

This Uber fare is actually a special programme for disabled people, older riders, or those who need extra help. Put simply, Assist is for customers who require a little support because, say, the person travelling has poor eyesight and is otherwise happy in an Uber X car.

Fares are the same as Uber X, despite offering clear benefits for the riders – and also the drivers. This is because the driver gets paid an extra 15% for every Uber Assist trip.

Did you know?

To qualify for Assist, the rules are similar to Uber Comfort except that drivers must first complete the free online disability equality training.

Uber Access (£24.36)

Uber Access is for riders who need a forward-facing wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV). Drivers get the same 15% bonus as Uber Assist, plus other financial perks. These include a weekly incentive from £150, a per-trip incentive of £5 for each Access trip and extra rewards for any trip longer than 12 mins. Uber Access has the same rules as Uber Assist, other than that drivers need a suitable vehicle.

Did you know?

Cars that qualify for Uber Access might also be eligible for Uber XL fares – and all WAVs are exempt from Congestion Charge in London.

Uber for Ukraine (£25.36)

This fare allowed riders to show support for Ukraine in the face of aggression by Russia. This fare option does not currently appear to be live in the UK app but may well return at some point.

When chosen, a regular Uber X was dispatched and £1 added to the rider’s fare – with a matching donation from Uber. These funds were used to buy ambulances and other medical logistics via the UNITED24, fundraising platform.

Did you know?

Since the war began, Uber raised £2.3m to send 49 ambulances to Ukraine and it even built a software platform for United Nations relief agencies to deliver emergency aid.

Taking the next step

Getting started as an Uber driver can feel complex but you are not alone. Otto Car is London’s largest community of private-hire drivers. We offer easy access to excellent PCO cars with no credit checks. Everyone is invited.

Our focus is always honest advice – and a fair price. Be part of something big. Join the family.