Uber Comfort UK: What private hire drivers need to know
If you're looking for a private hire car that gives you access to more types of Uber trips, Uber Comfort eligibility is worth considering when choosing your next car.
Uber Comfort matches riders with newer, more spacious cars and experienced, highly rated drivers. For private hire drivers, choosing an Uber Comfort-eligible car can give you access to Comfort trip requests alongside other eligible Uber categories, including UberX, Uber Electric if you drive a fully electric car, and potentially Uber Exec.
And Uber Comfort isn't just available in London. It's available across a growing number of UK cities and regions, including Manchester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, Nottingham, Brighton and parts of the South West.
So, which cars qualify for Uber Comfort in the UK, and what do private hire drivers need to know?
Uber Comfort car list UK: which cars qualify?
There isn't one simple list of Uber Comfort-eligible cars that applies everywhere, so it's important to check eligibility before committing to a vehicle.*
Eligibility can depend on your:
- Vehicle model
- Model year
- The city or region you drive in
Uber maintains its own eligible vehicle list, where drivers can check whether a particular make and model qualifies for Uber Comfort in their area.
At Otto Car, we make this easier by clearly showing the Uber categories each available car is eligible for and only showing you cars available for your licensed region when you select your location.
Our range is selected specifically with private hire driving in mind, including popular Uber Comfort-eligible models such as the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Toyota bZ4X Motion, Toyota bZ4X Pure, Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 Sport Edition, Skoda Enyaq 85 Edition Suite, Audi Q4 e-tron S line 40, Kia EV6 Air and many more.
*Uber eligibility is determined by Uber and can vary by vehicle, model year and operating area. Eligibility information is correct at the time of publishing but may change, so always check the latest requirements before choosing a vehicle.
What is Uber Comfort?
Uber Comfort sits above UberX and is designed to give riders a more comfortable journey.
Passengers booking Uber Comfort can:
- Expect a newer, more spacious vehicle with extra legroom, driven by an experienced and highly rated driver.
- Select preferences before their journey, including whether they would prefer conversation and their preferred temperature.
For drivers, one of the main benefits is access to an additional category of Uber trip requests without necessarily needing a premium Uber Exec vehicle.
Choosing a car that qualifies for more than one Uber category can also give you more options while you're working, depending on demand and availability in your area.
Not sure which Uber category you’re after? Explore our full range of Uber-ready cars and check the car details page to discover the Uber eligibility.
Uber Comfort for London PCO drivers
Uber Comfort requirements are slightly different from many other parts of the UK as they must meet the relevant vehicle-age requirements, alongside the additional TfL private hire licensing rules that apply to vehicles operating in the capital.
Your specific make, model and model year must also remain eligible for Uber Comfort.
If you're looking for an Uber Comfort car in London, you can browse our range of eligible vehicles online.
London drivers also have more than one way to get into an Uber Comfort car with Otto Car. You can choose short-term PCO Car Hire or work towards car ownership with Rent to Buy.
Both options are designed around private hire driving, with key essentials included so you don't have to arrange everything separately.
Browse all Uber Comfort cars in London
Is Uber Comfort available outside of London?
Uber Comfort is available across a number of UK cities and regions, including Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff.
Otto Car also operates beyond London, with local teams supporting private hire drivers across the North, Midlands, Wales and South West.
This matters when choosing your next car because Uber eligibility and private hire requirements can vary by location. When you browse our cars, you'll be asked to select your licensed region so you can see vehicles available for where you actually drive.
That means you can choose from cars suited to your area, with local private hire support available if you need help getting started or keeping your car on the road.
Looking for an Uber Comfort car in your area?
Explore Uber Comfort cars in the North
Explore Uber Comfort cars in the Midlands
Explore Uber Comfort cars in Wales and the South West
What are the Uber Comfort car requirements in the UK?
Your car needs to meet Uber's general private hire vehicle requirements as well as its specific requirements for Uber Comfort.
Uber Comfort vehicles must:
- Hold a PHV licence from an accepted licensing authority.
- Be an eligible make and model that meets Uber's vehicle-age requirements for the area where you're driving.
With Otto Car, PHV licensing is included as part of our all-in-one car plan on eligible vehicles, alongside other private hire essentials such as insurance, servicing and breakdown cover.
Our long-standing relationship with Uber also helps us stay close to changes affecting private hire drivers, including changes to vehicle requirements, classifications, and eligibility. We use this knowledge to make it clearer which Uber categories our vehicles are suitable for when you're choosing your next car.
Ultimately, Uber determines vehicle eligibility, and requirements can change. That's why the specific make, model, model year and area you drive in all need to be considered before you commit to a vehicle.
Uber Comfort vs UberX vs Uber Electric: what's the difference?
UberX is Uber's standard everyday ride option, while Uber Comfort is designed for riders looking for a newer, more spacious car and a more comfortable passenger experience. Uber Electric is for trips completed in fully electric vehicles.
All of our current private hire cars are UberX-eligible as standard while our fully electric cars are eligible for Uber Electric. Some models also qualify for Uber Comfort, giving drivers access to multiple Uber categories from the same car.
That's why we offer a wide choice of cars across different price points, Uber categories and vehicle types. The aim is to help you find a car that suits your budget, the journeys you complete and how you actually work, rather than simply choosing the highest Uber category available.
How to choose the right car as an Uber driver
Uber eligibility is important, but it shouldn't be the only thing you consider when choosing a private hire car.
Think about how and where you drive day to day:
- If you regularly complete airport journeys, boot space and passenger room may be particularly important.
- If you cover higher mileage, electric range or fuel efficiency could have a bigger impact.
- If you're on the road for long periods, driver comfort matters just as much as passenger comfort.
- If you want access to multiple Uber categories, eligibility across UberX, Comfort, Electric or Exec may also influence your choice.
- Your weekly budget and how long you want to keep the car should also be part of the decision.
At Otto Car, our team selects cars specifically with private hire driving in mind.
That means looking at Uber eligibility. We consider things such as Uber eligibility, running costs, range, passenger comfort, luggage space and how well a car suits the demands of everyday private hire driving.
Our scale and relationships with vehicle manufacturers also help us source a wide range of new and used electric and hybrid cars at competitive prices, giving drivers more choice when deciding what works for them.
And because our teams work with private hire drivers every day, you can get practical advice from people who understand the job and the local market you're operating in.
Find an Uber Comfort car with Otto Car
Whether you're driving in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff or elsewhere in the UK, you can browse our range of Uber Comfort-eligible cars online and reserve your chosen car for £99.
Depending on the vehicle and your region, cars are available across our PCO Car Hire (London only) and Rent to Buy plans.
With our all-in-one package, key driver essentials such as insurance, servicing, PHV licensing support, breakdown cover and an HD dashcam are included, helping make getting and staying on the road simpler.
Browse Uber Comfort cars by region:
London & South East | The North | The Midlands | Wales & South West