FAQs
PCO Car Hire
If you’re new to the private hire industry and need some wheels to get started, then this is the scheme for you.
Equally, if your own PCO car is out of action and you need to get on the road quickly, then we can help.
Our Uber-approved PCO car are available to rent on a rolling basis. The minimum rental term is only 4 weeks.
You need to meet the following criteria:
– Minimum age of 25 (max 65)
– Live and work in Greater London
– Good level of English
– Maximum 6 points on your licence
– Maximum 2 fault accidents
– No major convictions such as an IN10
– Must already hold a PCO licence and be registered to at least one private hire operator in London
Please bring the following:
– Deposit & first week’s rent
– Driving licence
– National insurance number
– PCO licence (original) & badge
– Proof of address (within the last 3 months and address must match your driving licence)
Yes. Every PCO car is Uber and TfL-approved and ready to go.
Our deposits start from £250. This is a refundable deposit and is refunded after you return the vehicle.
We will also ask for your first week’s rent upfront.
8 weeks. After that, you can return the car at any point with one week’s notice.
Yes. Otto Car provides optional PCO insurance if you select it, and sorts out the paperwork on your behalf.
There is up to a £1000 insurance excess for fault and split liability claims. Non-fault claims don’t require an excess.
Yes. Our PCO insurance covers deliveries for companies such as Uber Eats. Please speak to a member of the Otto Team for more information.
Call our insurance company to report an accident immediately (see Otto sticker in vehicle).
Please refer to the accident report form in the ‘Otto Welcome Pack’.
Dashcam is there for your protection and to give you peace of mind, however, please don’t rely on this and remember to always take down third-party details and double-check third-party registration. Please refer to the accident report form in the ‘Otto Welcome Pack’.
Each PCO car is serviced every 10,000 miles
Brakes are included, however, you’ll be liable for tyre punctures and accidental damage.
Yes, there’s a fair usage policy of 1000 miles per week.
We’ll calculate mileage on a weekly basis, but charges will only apply if the total accumulated mileage since the start of the contract goes over the allowed (accumulated) level at that point in time.
Yes. Your PCO car will come fully licensed and ready to use.
Only you are allowed to drive the PCO car under the contract. Under no circumstances can anybody else drive your PCO car.
Rent to Buy
If you’re an experienced private hire driver who’s tired of endlessly renting or wants to upgrade their private hire car, this is the plan for you.
Rent to Buy is more or less what it sounds like. You pay weekly rental fees for the length of your scheme, and at the end of it, the private hire car will be fully yours.
We’ve helped thousands of private hire drivers become car owners since 2015.
Rent to Buy is the stress-free ownership plan that provides everything you need at one simple price. It gives you the perfect all-in-one package to become a car owner with insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, MOT, road tax* and the PHV licence** included.
Work your way towards owning a PCO car without the unexpected running costs. This is hassle-free motoring and a totally safe ride.
There is no credit check and the plan includes up to 8 week holiday break every year which you build up to over time. Our private hire cars also come fully fitted with our state of the art CCTV camera system.
*For all vehicles registered from 1st March 2025.
** For Northern-based drivers, the cost is reimbursed to you once proof of payment has been provided
On selected private hire cars in Greater London, eligible Uber Partners can choose spread their EV Assistance over the full length of contract, or for the first 47 weeks. With both options, you still make the same amount of savings overall.
This is a fantastic opportunity to lower your weekly car payment costs on Rent to Buy. You can learn more about EV assistance on our dedicated support page https://ottocar.co.uk/uber-clean-air-plan/
Yes! All the log-book details and information will be transferred into your name at the end of your scheme.
Down payments start from just £499. Please check the individual Uber cars on our Rent to Buy page for exact pricing.
The down payment is refundable if you cancel your Rent to Buy order at least 7 days before picking up the car. Unfortunately, if you cancel your order within 7 days of your pickup date, we cannot issue any refunds.
Wear and tear items such as tyres and brakes are not included and will be your responsibility to replace.
Once your payments are completed, there is £200 admin fee to change the log book into your name. That’s it!
Please bring the following:
– Down payment
– Driving licence
– National insurance number
– PCO/private hire licence (original) & badge
– Proof of address (within the last 3 months and address must match your driving licence)
– For the Premium PCO cars -Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 Air – please bring proof of your 1 year no claims with you
This isn’t a problem. Here at Otto Car we’re more interested in your present than your past.
The minimum age for our standard private hire cars is 25 years and over (for The North, The Midlands, Wales & South West, it’s minimum age of 30).
Premium PCO cars – Tesla Model 3,Model Y Hyundai Ioniq and Kia EV6 – have a minimum age of 30.
Please note, maximum age is 65 years old for all of our PCO cars.
London
– At least 1 month of recent private hire driving experience and 200 trips (For the Tesla Model Y, 3, VW ID.BUZZ, Kia EV6 Air and Hyundai Ioniq 5, it’s 6 months private hire driving experience and 1,000 trips).
– Have a good level of English
– Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq and Kia EV6 Air, you need 1 year of no claims, and you need to bring proof with you at the point of order.
The North, The Midlands, Wales & South West
– At least 6 month of recent private hire driving experience or 1,000 trips
Normally we can accept up to 6 points on your licence, however, certain convictions such as IN10’s cannot be accepted onto our scheme.
We recommend that private hire drivers call us before visiting if they have any major convictions.
Premium PCO cars – Tesla Model Y, 3, VW ID.BUZZ , Hyundai Ioniq and Kia EV6 – require maximum 3 points.
No. We welcome private hire drivers from all platforms onto our car plans. We only ask that you’re already signed up to at least one platform before visiting us.
Unfortunately, if you’ve had two or more fault accidents, we won’t be able to accept you onto our Rent to Buy plan.
Through our Rent to Buy plan you are eligible for up to 8 weeks’ payment break through the year.
Please note, you start with 4 weeks in the first year, gaining an additional week with each year you stay in your contract. All requests are subject to approval from the Credit Control team.
There is a £25 admin fee for every week taken.
Your Rent to Buy and insurance contract is with Otto Car Limited.
Not a problem. Our minimum term is 6 months. After 5 months you can cancel with 4 weeks’ notice.
Please keep in mind that you will lose all of your rental payments up to that point.
In addition to this, if your total mileage exceeds 1000 miles per week then you may be liable for any excess mileage charges. There is also a £200 cancellation fee if you decide to cancel before the contract finishes.
If you had a fault accident whilst on the Rent to Buy Contract then you will still be liable for the insurance premium.
You are covered by our fleet insurance for third-party claims and the cost of the car. Your liability is limited to £1,000 for any fault accident and we cover the rest.
Yes it does. Our private hire insurance covers deliveries for companies such as Uber Eats. Please speak to a member of the Otto Team for more information.
If you’ve decided to take out your own insurance, please see the below list of potential insurance companies that could help you:
– Zigo
– Inshur
– Haven (Motorcade)
– DCL (Direct Chauffeur Line)
– Walsingham
Delivery mileage includes mileage from the dealership to the TfL licensing facility, and then to our garage where you collect your new car. This is usually 30-40 miles.
Yes. We have a fair usage policy of 1000 miles per week.
We’ll calculate mileage on a weekly basis, but charges will only apply if the total accumulated mileage since the start of the contract goes over the allowed (accumulated) level at that point in time.
Mileage Cap 48,000 miles/year = 1000 miles/week + up to 8 weeks Holiday.
Excess mileage costs £0.20p per mile that you’ve gone above the cap each week.
As the log book of the private hire car is in our name, the PCN will come to us first. We’ll then transfer the PCN into the PCO drivers name who can then decide to pay it or appeal it.
Due to the amount of time and effort it takes to transfer liability, there is a small charge of £10. This is significantly lower than most of our competitors.
Every private hire car is serviced at 10,000 miles.
No. The private hire car is not insured to travel outside the UK and therefore must not travel abroad at any time during the contract.
This will depend on the make and model of private hire car. Please check with our enquiries team for more information around this.
Leatherette seats are fitted in the majority of our private hire cars free of charge. Please check this during the order process as this differs from car to car.
This will depend on availability and approval. There is no guarantee of a replacement vehicle at any time.
Only you are allowed to drive the private hire car under the contract. Under no circumstances can anybody else drive your PCO car.
Accelerate Scheme
Our new scheme which helps new Uber Partners who are entering the industry for the first time in London with discounted rental vehicles for a fixed period and the option to become a car owner and make a huge saving.
You’ll join our popular PCO Car Hire plan on a fixed 8 week contract at a discounted rate. Once 8 weeks have passed, you’ll have four options for the next stage of your private hire career (see details below).
Please note, you can also add your Uber EV Assistance once you’re eligible (after 150 trips). You’d need to visit one of our hubs and resign your contract to claim the additional £75/pw discount.
All of the standard PCO Car Hire plan eligibility applies but you must also be a new Uber Partner in London (up to 100 trips taken).
The initial PCO Car Hire plan contract is a fixed 8 week contract.
After 8 weeks you have the following options available to you:
You can switch up to Rent to Buy in the same car and transfer all of your rental payments made over and you won’t need to make a new down payment. This will save you thousands of pounds!
Upgrade to Rent to Buy but in a different car (you won’t be able to transfer your rental payments over and you’ll need to make a new down payment)
Return the car. Your initial deposit is returned, subject to standard t&cs
Stay but you’ll revert back to the default PCO Car Hire pricing for your vehicle
Don’t worry, we’ll reach out to you by phone after 10 weeks to discuss all the available options to you. In all cases you’ll need to revisit one of our five Otto Hubs.
Should you terminate your contract, you’ll be liable for the difference between the discounted rate and the standard rate for the remaining weeks.
No. We’re here to support all Uber Drivers regardless of the credit history.
Please bring the following:
– Deposit & first week’s rent
– Driving licence
– National insurance number
– PCO licence (original) & badge
– Proof of address (within the last 3 months and address must match your driving licence)
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Fill in your basic details and we'll send you an email with all of our cars, schemes and plans.
Recent Article
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. In odio quo quibusdam iure ducimus quia, quam perspiciatis a! Culpa magnam in dolorem vel iste suscipit, eveniet dolores harum quidem corrupti! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Velit pariatur vero consequuntur expedita eos explicabo optio minus laboriosam quis voluptatem, nihil, laudantium modi architecto deleniti vitae perferendis ex eius autem?
Learn More