What Does It Mean to Rent a PCO Licensed Car?
When you rent a PCO licensed car you’re hiring a vehicle that is:
- Licensed by Transport for London (TfL) as a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV)
- Displaying valid PHV licence discs
- Covered by hire‑and‑reward (private hire) insurance
- Compliant with London emissions and safety rules
You can then use this PCO car for:
- Ride‑hailing apps like Uber, Bolt and FREE NOW
- Traditional minicab or chauffeur work
- Airport transfers and corporate bookings
Specialist PCO rental companies like Rapid PCO include everything you need into one weekly payment. This includes a PCO licensed car, PCO insurance, servicing, MOT and breakdown so you can start driving for hire and reward without buying a car or handling complex admin yourself.
Step 1 – Ensuring you are ready to become a PCO driver
Before you rent a PCO licensed car, you must be licensed and eligible to work with Tfl.
Getting Your PCO / PHV Driver Licence
To work as a private hire driver in London you need a PHV (PCO) driver licence from TfL.
Typically, you’ll need to:
- Be at least 21
- Hold a full UK (or converted EU/EEA) licence for at least 3 years
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Pass an enhanced DBS (criminal record) check
- Pass a medical meeting DVLA Group 2 standards
- Meet TfL’s English language and SERU (Safety, Equality & Regulatory Understanding) requirements
- Pass a topographical skills test for London routes
Most drivers take several months to complete the process and pay for tests, medical, DBS and application fees, so it’s worth starting early.
For a full guide on how to get your PCO licence, follow this link.
Decide if you want to rent a PCO car or own one
If you already own a suitable, ZEC‑compliant car and plan to drive full‑time for years, insuring and licensing your own vehicle can work. If you want flexibility and low upfront cost, renting is often more attractive.
Renting a PCO car can be a better fit if:
- You want to avoid a big finance or purchase commitment
- You prefer a fixed weekly cost with fewer surprises
- You don’t want the hassle of PHV licensing, MOT scheduling and compliance admin
- You’re new to private hire and want to “test” the job before buying a vehicle
- You want to work on multiple Uber platforms
At Rapid, we provide affordable PCO rentals with flexible contracts. Our PCO rentals are designed for private hire drivers looking to work on Uber, Bolt, FREENOW and other ride-hailing platforms.
Step 2 – Understanding the TfL Rules for PCO‑Licensed Vehicles
Knowing the basics of TfL’s vehicle rules will help you pick the right rental and avoid compliance issues.
PHV Licence for the Vehicle
Any vehicle with up to 8 passenger seats used for private hire in London must have a PHV licence from TfL. When you rent, the licence is usually held by the rental company, but the car must still meet all requirements.
To license or renew a PHV vehicle, TfL requires:
- Valid hire‑and‑reward (private hire) insurance
- A valid MOT certificate (issued within the last 14 days unless the car is under 12 months old)
- Registration documents (V5C logbook)
- Relevant paperwork for modifications or emissions compliance
The car must pass a TfL inspection and display PHV licence discs correctly. Original documents are required at inspection; photocopies and digital copies are not accepted.
Emissions and Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) Rules
TfL has tightened emissions rules for PHVs. Since 1 January 2023, PHVs licensed for the first time must be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) and meet Euro 6 standards. Fully electric vehicles automatically qualify.
For renters, this usually means:
- Newer PCO rentals will mainly be hybrids or fully electric vehicles
- Older petrol or diesel vehicles can only continue if they already hold a PHV licence and meet age and emissions limits
- Choosing a ZEC PCO car helps you stay compliant and reduce running costs
This is one reason many PCO rental fleets increasingly feature hybrids and EVs.
To read the full Emissions standards for PHVs you can follow this link
Step 3 – Understand What’s in a PCO Rental Package
When looking to rent a PCO licensed car, most offers are “all‑inclusive” packages. It’s important to understand exactly what that includes.
Usually PCO rental packages Include:
- PCO / PHV‑licensed vehicle – already approved by TfL
- PHV insurance (hire and reward) – often fully comprehensive
- MOT and servicing – routine maintenance and safety checks
- Breakdown cover – roadside assistance and recovery
- TfL compliance support – vehicle licence renewals and inspections handled by the provider
In London, weekly PCO rental prices commonly fall in the £150–£350 per week range, depending on the car and package level.
Why PHV Insurance Is Different
Standard car insurance (social, domestic and pleasure or commuting) does not cover you to carry paying passengers. For private hire work you need:
- Hire‑and‑reward / PCO / PHV insurance – specifically designed for minicab and ride‑hailing work
- Cover that is active whenever you’re logged into apps and taking paid journeys
PHV insurance is more expensive than standard car cover. Annual private hire policies often run into the low thousands of pounds per year for individual drivers, depending on age, experience, vehicle and claims history. That higher cost is one reason many drivers prefer PCO rental packages where the insurance is included and spread across weekly payments.
Step 4 – Choose the Best PCO Car for Your Work
The car you rent affects your fuel or charging costs, your eligibility for certain ride categories and the comfort you offer passengers.
Main Types of PCO Rental Cars
Common options include:
- Hybrid vehicles (e.g. Toyota Prius, Kia Niro, Hyundai Ioniq)
- Lower fuel use than petrol/diesel
- Ideal for stop‑start city driving
- Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Zero tailpipe emissions, ZEC‑compliant
- Very low “fuel” cost per mile if you have good charging access
- Need planning around charging times and locations
- Estates and MPVs
- More luggage space (airport runs)
- 6–7 seaters suitable for group bookings and school contracts
- Executive cars
- Higher‑spec saloons for premium ride categories
- Higher rental cost but potentially higher fares
How to Decide what PCO car to rent
- Where you’ll work
- Mostly central London? Hybrids and EVs are very efficient for short, urban trips.
- Lots of airports and motorways? A hybrid or efficient petrol may suit if charging is tricky.
- Your access to charging when needed
- Home or workplace charging makes EVs far easier to run.
- Platforms and categories
- Check which vehicle models are accepted by Uber, Bolt and other apps, and what ride categories they unlock.
- Comfort and image
- A more spacious, comfortable car can help with ratings and tips, and enable premium work.
Step 5 – Work Out Your True Weekly Costs
To make a PCO rental work financially, be honest about your weekly outgoings and likely earnings.
Core Cost Elements
With an all‑inclusive PCO rental, your main weekly costs are:
- Rental fee – often £150–£350 per week depending on the car and package
- Fuel or charging – varies by mileage and vehicle type
- App fees and commission – Uber, Bolt, etc. take a percentage of each fare
- Parking and tolls – including any city charges on your routes
- Your own licence and admin costs – spread across the year
On top of that, you may have:
- Occasional cleaning/valeting
- Fines or penalty charges (which you should work hard to avoid). For tips on how to avoid PCN fines for PCO drivers you can read our guide here.
Understanding traffic signs as a PCO driver can also be tricky. For more information on what you can expect when driving as a PCO driver you can follow this link.
You can put this into a simple weekly budget. For example:
- Rental: £220
- Fuel/charging: £90
- Miscellaneous (parking, cleaning, snacks): £40
- Total weekly running cost: £350
Then compare that to your realistic weekly gross fares based on the hours you plan to work. The difference is your rough pre‑tax profit.
Avoiding Costly Surprises
When comparing PCO rental deals, always ask:
- Is PHV insurance included?
- Are MOT, servicing and breakdown included?
- Is there a mileage limit? What is the excess mileage charge?
- What is the insurance excess if you have an at‑fault accident?
- Is a replacement vehicle provided if the car is off the road for repairs?
Two deals with the same base price can be very different once these details are taken into account.
Step 6 – The Process to Rent a PCO Licensed Car
Once you’re PCO‑licensed and ready, renting a car usually follows a straightforward process.
Check Your Eligibility
PCO rental companies will normally ask for:
- Your PCO/PHV driver licence
- Full UK driving licence (often minimum 3 years held)
- Proof of right to work in the UK
- National Insurance number and recent proof of address
- Disclosure of driving convictions and claims
You may also need to pay a refundable deposit and the first week’s rental in advance.
Choose Your Vehicle and Contract
Discuss with the provider:
- Vehicle type (hybrid, EV, MPV, executive)
- Weekly price and what’s included
- Contract length – flexible weekly, 1–6 months, or longer‑term options
- Any rent‑to‑buy or long‑term hire options if you’re planning to stay in the trade
Make sure the car is accepted by the platforms you plan to drive for.
Sign the Agreement and Check the Fine Print
Before signing, check:
- Deposit amount and clear conditions for its return
- Insurance excess and what happens after an accident
- Damage, wear‑and‑tear and cleaning policies
- Rules on returning the car early
- How breakdowns and repairs are handled
If anything isn’t clear, ask for it in writing.
Vehicle Handover
When you collect the car:
- Inspect it carefully and note any existing marks or damage on the handover form
- Check PHV licence discs are correctly displayed
- Confirm the insurance is active and that you know what documents you must keep in the car
- Make sure you understand how to operate any EV or hybrid systems
You can then upload the vehicle details to your chosen platforms (if required) and start driving once everything is approved.
Step 7 – Maximising Earnings With a Rented PCO Car
Renting a PCO licensed car gives you a platform to earn; your habits decide how profitable it becomes. You should work smart, and not just burn yourself out working long hours.
Focus on high‑demand periods such as:
- Weekday rush hours
- Friday and Saturday evenings
- Early‑morning airport runs
- Local event times
This helps you make the most of surge pricing and reduces time spent idle between trips.
Manage Fuel or Charging Efficiently
- With hybrids, avoid aggressive acceleration and hard braking; smooth driving saves fuel.
- With EVs, plan your charging around your shifts – for example, overnight at home or while demand is quiet.
- Keep tyres correctly inflated and service intervals up‑to‑date; this improves efficiency and safety.
Keep Ratings High
A clean, comfortable car and professional attitude can significantly improve:
- Passenger ratings and tips
- Your chances of getting more frequent trip requests
- Eligibility for higher‑tier work on some platforms
Simple touches such as a tidy interior, phone chargers and good route choices (avoiding obvious congestion when possible) help build a strong profile.
Step 8 – Mistakes to Avoid When You Rent a PCO Licensed Car
Avoid these common errors that can damage your earnings or even your licence.
-
Driving Without Correct PHV Insurance
Using standard car insurance for paid passenger work is illegal and extremely risky. If your rental does not include PHV insurance, you must arrange a valid hire‑and‑reward policy before you start taking bookings. Otherwise, any accident could leave you personally liable and facing enforcement action.
-
Ignoring the Contract Details
Don’t sign a rental agreement without understanding:
- Excess mileage charges
- Deposit deductions for damage or late payments
- What happens if you need to return the car early
A slightly higher weekly fee with fair, transparent terms can be better than a cheap headline price with harsh penalties.
-
Underestimating Running Costs
Some drivers focus on the rental alone and forget:
- Fuel or charging
- App commissions and fees
- Parking, tolls and occasional fines
- Cleaning and minor repairs
Review your numbers every few weeks and adjust your work pattern, vehicle choice or platforms if the profit isn’t where you need it to be.
-
Losing Sight of Compliance
Even with a rental, you must:
- Keep your PCO driver licence valid and up to date
- Inform the provider and insurers about accidents or major incidents promptly
- Respect TfL and platform rules on safety, conduct and vehicle condition
Good compliance protects your licence, your income and your passengers.
Rent a PCO licensed car with Rapid PCO
If you’re ready to rent a PCO licensed car and start earning with Uber, Bolt or other private hire platforms Rapid PCO offers all‑inclusive, driver‑friendly PCO car hire.
To explore current PCO rental options and flexible packages tailored to London private hire drivers take a look at our site today.
