PCO & licensed vehicle hire for taxi & rideshare drivers

What is PCO / licensed vehicle hire?

If you want to drive for Uber, Bolt or a private-hire operator but don't own a suitable car, you can rent one that's already licensed and ready for the job. In London these are known as PCO cars — "PCO" refers to the Public Carriage Office, the old name for Transport for London's licensing arm — and the vehicle comes with a valid private-hire licence so you can work legally from day one.

Hire is typically charged weekly with no long lease tie-in, which makes it popular with new drivers testing the work, drivers between vehicles, or anyone who'd rather not tie up cash buying a car outright.

What's usually included

• A vehicle already licensed for private-hire work (so you can start earning straight away)
• Flexible weekly rental — often rolling, with no long-term lease commitment
• Maintenance and servicing on many plans, so unexpected repair bills aren't on you
• Often the option to swap vehicles, and on some providers a rent-to-buy route
• Hybrid and fully electric options at several providers, handy for ULEZ and Clean Air Zones

What to check before you hire

Rental deals vary a lot, and the headline weekly price rarely tells the whole story. Before you commit, confirm:

• Is insurance included? On some plans it's bundled; on others it's an add-on, which changes the real weekly cost significantly.
• Mileage caps. Some agreements limit your weekly mileage and charge for going over — a problem if you do high miles.
• The deposit. Check how much is required upfront and the refund terms when you hand the car back.
• Eligibility. Most providers require a valid private-hire driver licence (or that you're applying for one), a minimum age and driving history.
• What happens if the car needs repairs. Confirm whether you get a replacement so you're not left unable to work.