What Is Uber Comfort? A Guide for Private Hire Drivers in London

Oct 28, 2025 | Guides, PCO Cars, PCO rental

If you have questions around Uber Comfort like, “What it is Uber Comfort? How does Uber Comfort work? Is my car eligible for Uber Comfort?” then you have come to the right place.

As a London Uber driver — understanding Uber Comfort can help you decide which class to offer, which car to choose, and how to increase your earning potential.

In this post, we will walk you through:

  • What Uber Comfort is (as compared to UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Excel and Uber Exec)
  • The requirements to qualify for Uber Comfort
  • Why it matters for PCO drivers in London
  • How to pick a vehicle for Uber Comfort
  • Tips to maximise earnings
  • What Rapid PCO can do to help

Let’s put things into gear and explore what Uber Comfort means for private hire drivers.

What is Uber Comfort?

Uber Comfort is Uber’s enhanced ride option in the UK for passengers who want a more comfortable trip. It usually means a newer, mid-to-large car with extra legroom, driven by highly rated, experienced drivers.

Riders can request small preferences such as a quieter ride, a preferred temperature, or more space for luggage. For drivers and PCO operators, Comfort trips tend to pay a bit more than standard rides, but they require meeting higher vehicle and driver quality standards.

Uber Comfort vs Other Uber Service Levels

Before we go further, let’s clarify where Uber Comfort sits in the Uber service hierarchy:

Uber Service Typical Price / Premium Level Customer Expectation Car & Driver Requirement
UberX / Standard Base level Basic, reliable ride Many standard cars qualify
Uber Select / Executive Premium Luxury, high end High-end vehicles
UberXL Specialist For groups of 6 or more SUVs
Uber Assist Specialist Accessible for customer needs An accessible vehicle and driver assistance
Uber Pet Specialist Able to bring pets in the vehicle Pet friendly vehicle

Uber Comfort is basically a step up from standard Uber. It gives riders more comfort, extra legroom, and often nicer features (e.g. newer, cleaner, possibly amenities like climate control, premium interiors). Drivers usually charge a small premium and may receive higher ratings and tips due to the extra lengths of service provided.

If your car qualifies, being listed as an Uber Comfort driver can help you attract more discerning passengers and possibly earn a bit more per ride.

What Are the Requirements for Uber Comfort?

Uber Comfort Vehicle Requirements

To qualify for Uber Comfort, your car typically must:

  • Be a relatively new model (maximum of  7 years old)
  • Be a midsize or larger sedan (no compacts)
  • Have more legroom than a standard car on UberX — riders will expect extra space
  • Be in excellent condition (clean, well-maintained, no damage)
  • Be a 4-door vehicle (for passenger convenience)
  • Meet all licensing / regulatory / insurance requirements for private hire in your area

To find a list of eligible Uber Comfort cars in London click here.

For London specifically, the vehicle must also conform to PCO licensing rules, emission standards (ULEZ / clean air zones), and private hire regulations (e.g. MOT, insurance, PCO license).

Driver Requirements

In addition to vehicle standards, the Uber Comfort drivers must typically:

  • Hold all relevant licenses (full UK driving licence, PCO licence)
  • Keep the vehicle clean, presentable, and comfortable
  • Often accept more ride requests (less selective)

Meeting Uber’s driver behaviour standards is important – this includes your cancellation rate, acceptance rate, safety, etc. For more information on Uber Comforts requirements you can find them here: Vehicle Requirements In United Kingdom

Why Uber Comfort Matters for London PCO Drivers

Below are a few reasons why Uber Comfort can make sense for PCO drivers in London:

  1. Higher Fares, Better Passengers

Because riders pay a premium for extra comfort, Uber Comfort rides typically pay more than standard UberX rides. For passengers who value space and amenities, they may tip better, and the trips may be more relaxed.

  1. Better Ratings & Passenger Satisfaction

Comfortable, smooth rides can translate to better ratings, which helps you stay in the good books of Uber’s algorithm. Over time, better ratings may lead to more ride assignments.

  1. Differentiation & Advantage in a Competitive Market

London’s PCO driver market is competitive. Having a vehicle that qualifies for Uber Comfort gives you an edge, especially in higher demand zones (airport transfers, business districts).

Choosing the Right Car for Uber Comfort in London

If your aim is to drive Uber Comfort, vehicle choice is important. Here are tips for selecting the right car — and how Rapid PCO can help:

Ideal Vehicle Features

Look for:

  • Legroom & rear-seat comfort: Passengers should notice more elbow/leg space
  • High build quality & comfort features: Leather or quality upholstery, good suspension, smooth drive
  • Reliable maintenance & low running costs: Plug – in Hybrids or efficient petrol/diesel might help
  • Compliance with London’s emissions and PCO rules

What are the best Uber Comfort car options with Rapid PCO?

Like we have previously mentioned, the best cars for Uber Comfort in London are those with four doors, ample legroom, and modern features.

Check the Uber link here to see what cars are eligible for Uber Comfort.

Below are a few eligible options that Rapid PCO provide for Uber Comfort:

  • Toyota Camry: A spacious, dependable sedan that satisfies the size requirements.
  • Toyota RAV4: A broad, hybrid SUV offering a comfortable ride suitable for Uber Comfort.
  • Kia Niro EV: A roomy electric/hybrid crossover that combines comfort with lower running costs.
  • Toyota Prius: A long-standing hybrid option, still favoured for efficiency and comfort.
  • Škoda Superb: A roomy, comfortable sedan that fits well with Uber Comfort thanks to its generous cabin and smooth ride.

Call us on 01732 747190 to find out more.

Here at Rapid PCO we offer a wide range of cars eligible for Uber Comfort.

When looking through our website, cars have “Uber Comfort” tags on certain suitable models to make them easy to spot.

If you would like to view our full fleet and filter the cars that you are labelled “Uber Comfort” and those likely to meet Uber Comfort standards, you can view our cars page here.

All of our Rent to Buy cars are eligible for Uber Comfort and come brand-new. Click here to view our available Rent to Buy fleet and potentially start the journey to PCO car ownership.

Click here for more information on our PCO Car Hires and FAQs.

Please note: Some PCO cars may not have the tag “Uber Comfort” but still might be eligible. It is it important to check if the car you like is eligible by clicking through to the Uber cars page.

Steps to Activate Uber Comfort as a PCO Driver

Here is a practical step-by-step guide to becoming Uber Comfort–eligible in London:

  1. Check eligibility in your Uber app
    Log into the driver app, go to “Vehicle options,” and see if Uber Comfort is available in your area.
  2. Confirm your vehicle meets Uber’s stated requirements
    If your PCO car is denied, Uber will often give a reason for the age, model, or condition.
  3. Ensure your vehicle is PCO-licensed and compliant
    Make sure your car meets all London PCO, insurance, and emission regulations like ULEZ.
  4. Make sure your driver profile meets Uber’s standards
    Maintaining good ratings, a low cancellation rate, and adhering to Uber’s rules is extremely important.
  5. Keep the vehicle well-maintained and clean

For Uber Comfort freshness and cleanliness should always be a priority. Comfort touches will also help the customer experience; this could include offering a phone charger or providing water bottles.

  1. Contact Uber support if needed
    If your vehicle meets the Uber Comfort requirements but hasn’t been automatically been upgraded, Uber support may have to manually approve your car for Comfort.
  2. Monitor performance and feedback
    Once accepted, see how many Uber Comfort rides you get and adjust your approach (e.g. accept more trips, stay in higher demand zones).

Tips to Maximise Earnings With Uber Comfort

To get the most from offering Uber Comfort:

  • Work peak hours when demand (and surge pricing) is highest.
  • Target premium areas and airports: riders there are likelier to choose Comfort.
  • Maintain a spotless car: small things like cleanliness matter more in Comfort.
  • Offer extra touches: phone chargers, bottled water, a gentle welcome message for the passenger to read.
  • Stay efficient: minimise downtime, avoid long gaps between rides.
  • Monitor costs: comfort cars often consume more (premium parts, maintenance), so ensure fare premium offsets running costs.

Common FAQs (Uber Comfort London)

Here are frequent questions drivers ask:

Q: Can I switch in and out of Uber Comfort?
A:Yes, in many markets you can toggle between service levels (Comfort, Standard) depending on your car and preference.

Q: What if Uber denies my vehicle?
A:Uber will usually always give you a reason. You can appeal or request a manual review via Uber support.

Q: Do riders always choose Comfort if available?
A:Not always — many riders go for the lowest cost. But when demand is high or for business / airport trips, Comfort may be more attractive.

Why Choose Rapid PCO to Help You Qualify for Uber Comfort

Here at Rapid, we have provided over 11,000 rentals since we were established in 2008.

We pride ourselves on being a reliable partner to thousands of private hire drivers who entrust us with their PCO car rental needs.

  • We have a wide range of Uber Comfort cars available in our fleet, making selection easier. (Rapid PCO)
  • Our PCO Car Hire Packages Include –  Insurance, servicing, MOT, road tax and breakdown cover are all included as part of your weekly rental.
  • Our Rent to Buy scheme gives drivers a path to owning a PCO car that qualifies for Uber Comfort.
  • Flexible Contracts – No long-term commitments. You can hire a PCO car for as little as 4 weeks.
  • If you’re unsure whether a vehicle qualifies, our friendly team can walk you through all of our models..

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Uber Comfort offers a great opportunity for PCO drivers in London to differentiate, increase earnings, and serve a more premium market segment.

It requires consistent quality and compliance, but the rewards can be worth it.

Here’s the next steps you can follow:

Get in touch with us Today!

If you’re ready to make the shift into Uber Comfort, get in touch with Rapid PCO today.

We can help you choose the right car for your needs, understand the requirements, walk you through the process and get you on the road.

Get a quote for PCO car hire today

Call us on: 01732 747190

Rapid, The Go-To PCO People.

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