Business Freelancing

How to Become an Uber Driver in the UK: Step-by-step Guide for Beginners

Saim Jalees

18.12.25

Read time 10 minutes

Dreaming of providing that top-tier passenger experience as an Uber driver? Here’s the perfect guide to help launch your career on the road.

We’ve explained the registration process you need to follow and all the steps thereafter to get you on the road, covering vehicle rules, pay expectations, taxes, and more.

Once your earnings start coming in, we’ve explained how a Wise Business account can help keep your business earnings separate, making accounting and keeping track of expenses easier.

We’ve also explained what makes the Wise personal account such a popular choice to send money home for countless UK residents.

Overview

Steps	Notes
📄 Gather documents	Collate your UK driving licence, identity documents (passport/BRP), and evidence of your right to work in the UK.
🔍 Complete background checks	Undergo an enhanced DBS check via Uber’s approved provider to confirm eligibility for working with the public.
🪪 Get council licensing	Apply for a private hire driver licence from your local authority; this often involves a medical and a topographical test.
🚗 Verify vehicle eligibility	Ensure your vehicle meets age and door requirements for passengers, or choose a bicycle/scooter for Uber Eats deliveries.
💻 Register online	Create your driver profile via the Uber app, upload your credentials, and select your operating city and service type.
💳 Organise finances	Set up a dedicated Wise Business account* for payouts to simplify self-employed tax returns and track vehicle running costs.
🛡️ Secure private hire insurance	Arrange the specific insurance required for commercial passenger transport, as standard car insurance is insufficient.
⚙️ Equip your vehicle	Install a professional phone mount and charger to ensure safe navigation and constant access to the Uber Driver app.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Step 1: Gather the required documents

Before you can start the registration process to become an Uber driver in the UK, you need to gather and prepare several key documents.¹

Uber won’t approve your account until every document has been uploaded, reviewed and accepted, so it’s wise to get organised early. We've listed the main documents you'll need below.

A valid UK driving licence

To meet Uber driver requirements in the UK, you need a valid UK driving licence.¹

Specific councils will have various requirements when it comes to driving experience history and length. It’s worth reviewing your license details beforehand to ensure they’re correct and up to date before uploading them.

Proof of identity

You’ll also need proof of identity, such as a passport or UK biometric residence permit, as well as proof of your right to work in the UK.² These checks apply to everyone, including British citizens, EU nationals and non-EU migrants.

Right-to-work checks are a legal requirement and must be completed before you can earn through Uber.

Enhanced DBS check

As an Uber driver, you’ll likely carry passengers - unless you solely want to deliver food. You’ll need an enhanced DBS check to confirm that you’re legally allowed to work with the public.³ Uber has their own approved provider but processing times can vary for this and can take several weeks.

Private hire driver licence

Passenger drivers must also apply for a private hire driver’s licence from their local council.³ For example, in London, this is handled by Transport for London. Outside of London, each council has their own requirements and it may include medical checks or local knowledge tests.

Note: Although you won’t be receiving payments just yet, it’s a good time to start thinking about how you’ll manage your earnings once you’re approved.

Many Uber drivers in the UK prefer to keep driving income separate from their personal finances to ensure a smoother tax season.

In this case, preparing a separate account early can make the transition easier once you do start earning. That’s where Wise Business comes in - allowing you to set up an account digitally.

Even better, with your account set-up in minutes, there’ll be no delays when Uber asks for payout details later in the process.

Step 2: Check you have the right vehicle

Having the right vehicle is essential before you can start earning with Uber.

Vehicle requirements in the UK vary depending on the service you want to provide so it’s important to understand the various options before choosing a car or delivery mode.⁴

Passenger driving with Uber

For UberX, the most common service, your vehicle needs four doors, a clean interior and to fall within a maximum age limit set by your city or council.⁴

If you want to drive for UberXL, your vehicle must seat at least six passengers.⁵ This category can generate higher fares but remember fuel and maintenance costs may be higher too.

There are higher-tier services like Uber Comfort, Executive and Premium. These all require newer vehicles with higher interior standards.⁵ Again, earning potential in these categories is often more but there’s usually a greater upfront investment.

Delivering with Uber Eats

For those wondering how to become an Uber Eats driver, you might be pleased to know that vehicle requirements are far more flexible. You can deliver with a car, scooter, motorbike, bicycle or e-bike - making startup costs much lower.⁶

How Wise can help

Vehicle choice directly affects your costs. There’s fuel, maintenance, insurance and repayments. Using a Wise Business account lets you track your expenses separately from personal spending, meaning you can understand whether your driving is profitable.

What’s more, keeping your driving-related expenses in one place can be especially helpful if you’re earning in pounds but paying for vehicle-related costs or sending money abroad in another currency.

Seeing everything clearly can help you to decide whether a higher-tier Uber service would make better financial sense for you.

Step 3: Complete the online Uber driver registration UK process

Once your documents and vehicle are ready, you can start the Uber driver registration in the UK. This is done through the Uber website or the Uber Driver app.

You’ll begin by creating an Uber Driver account, choosing your city and selecting whether you want to carry passengers, deliver food with Uber Eats or do both. Then, you’ll be required to upload all documents and book any DBS or council appointments if needed.⁷

Uber reviews each document individually. If something is unclear or incorrect, you’ll be notified in the app and asked to resubmit it. A little back-and-forth is normal, especially for first-time applicants.

Adding your payout details

At this stage, Uber will ask you to add a bank account for payouts. Drivers are typically paid weekly so the account you choose will become central to managing your income.⁸

This is where Wise Business becomes particularly relevant. Many UK Uber drivers are migrants who send money home. With Wise, you can:

Receive earnings in GBP
Convert money at the mid-market exchange rates
Send money to 140+ countries from the same account

This reduces the need to move money between multiple banks or pay unnecessary conversion fees.

Once your Uber registration is complete, you will be notified.

Speed disclaimer: The claim regarding the speed of transactions depends on fund availability, approval by Wise's proprietary verification system, and systems availability of our partners' banking system. It may not be the same for all transactions.

Step 4: Wait for background checks to finish

After submitting your application, you’ll need to wait for background checks and licensing approvals to be completed. This can often be the lengthiest part of becoming an Uber driver in the UK.

While some Enhanced DBS checks can be returned in a few weeks, processing times can vary significantly and may take over 60 days if there are backlogs in your local police force.⁹ Uber has no control over these times but the app will show you which steps are still pending.

Using the waiting period wisely

While you’re waiting, it’s a good idea to prepare for self-employment. Lots of new drivers underestimate how important good organisation is once earnings start coming in. Consider:

Setting up a separate account for driving income
How you’ll track expenses like fuel and insurance
How you’ll set aside money for tax

Again, this is where Wise Business can be beneficial, helping you to prepare your money setup before your first payout arrives.

This means you can avoid mixing your Uber income with personal spending from day one - something that can make tax reporting much more complicated later down the road.

For drivers who plan to send money abroad, having everything set up early also means you can send your first earnings back home as soon as they arrive.

Step 5: Get all your essential gear

Before you can get behind the wheel, or handlebars, you’ll need a few essential items to work safely and efficiently.

For starters, a smartphone with reliable data is key. This is because you’ll need access to the Uber Driver app for navigation, trip requests and payments.

Most drivers also use a phone mount and charger to keep their device visible and powered throughout their shift.

Passenger drivers must also have valid private hire insurance which is different from standard car insurance.¹⁰ This is a legal requirement and must be arranged before accepting trips.

It’s also important to keep your vehicle clean and well maintained. This can improve ratings and lead to more trip requests. Some drivers also install dashcams but be sure to check local council rules and privacy requirements.

Note: Once you start driving, small costs add up quickly. Think fuel, data plans, cleaning supplies and maintenance. Using a separate account to pay for these expenses can make it easier to see how much you’re really spending in order to earn.

Many drivers use Wise Business to keep these costs clearly separated from personal spending. Again, this can be especially helpful if you’re tracking expenses for tax purposes or comparing weekly earnings against running costs.

Step 6: Open a Wise Business account

Managing your money properly is one of the most important parts of working as an Uber driver or Uber Eats driver in the UK. This is because most drivers operate as a sole trader, meaning you’re responsible for tracking income, expenses and taxes.

For this reason, it’s strongly recommended that you use a separate account for business income and expenses. This could either be a dedicated business account or a secondary personal account - both of which are possible with Wise.

Wise personal account

The Wise personal account is designed for individuals and is useful for:

Everyday spending
Holding multiple currencies
Sending money abroad to family

This makes it particularly beneficial for drivers who earn in pounds but support relatives overseas.
Open your Wise Personal account ➡️

Wise Business account

The Wise Business account is specifically tailored for freelancers and sole traders, which fits most Uber drivers in the UK. It helps you to:

Keep Uber income separate from personal money
Track expenses more clearly

Step 7: Plan for quieter periods

One of the biggest adjustments when driving for Uber or Uber Eats is learning to manage irregular income. Unlike salaried work, your earnings can change week to week depending on demand, weather, promotions and the hours you choose to work.

Busy periods such as weekends and holidays can lead to higher earnings while quieter weeks can bring in much less. This makes planning ahead very important, especially if Uber driving is your main source of income.

Many experienced Uber drivers recommend setting aside a portion of their income from higher-earning weeks to cover slow periods. Doing this consistently can help to smooth out cash flow and reduce financial stress.

It also makes it easier to budget for fixed costs such as insurance, phone bills, and vehicle payments, which don’t decrease when demand is low.

Get Wise Business to manage your business earnings and a Wise Account to send money to 140+ countries

Wise Business represents the smart way to manage your earnings, giving you the ability to keep your professional income separate from personal spending for easier accounting and tax filing.

With the Wise Business Advanced plan*, you can receive payments with account details in currencies, giving you a clear view of your Uber income before moving it to your personal finances.

And for your daily life, the Wise personal account allows you to send money home to 140+ countries at themid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.

Whether you are using your Wise Business debit card with the Advanced plan for fuel and maintenance or your Wise personal debit card for personal expenses, you can hold and convert 40+ currencies seamlessly.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

"I knew that if I went down to the local bank here in Limerick, it would probably take six to eight weeks to open an account. I was able to open an account within 30 minutes with Wise."

-- Michael Houghton, Freelance Software Developer

FAQs

Is the process the same for Uber Eats? How do I become an Uber Eats driver?

Uber Eats has a simpler process with no private hire license required. You only need proof of identity, right to work and an approved delivery method.¹¹

How much can I get paid as an Uber driver in the UK?

The rate of pay for Uber drivers in the UK varies depending on the city, the hours you work and demand. Many drivers report gross earnings or £15-18 per hour before expenses but this is not guaranteed.¹²

How much can I get paid as an Uber Eats delivery driver in the UK?

Again, this varies depending on a few factors but typical earnings range from £15 to £18 per hour before costs.¹² Earnings can increase during busy periods and promotions.

How does the Uber driver pay structure in the UK and service fee work?

Uber deducts a service fee from each trip.¹³ The remaining amount is then paid to you on a weekly basis.⁸ Full breakdowns can be found in the app.

How do I do my tax as a self-employed Uber or Uber Eats driver?

You must register for Self Assessment with HMRC and report income and allowable expenses. Keeping Uber income in a separate account can make this much easier.

How do I maximise my earnings driving for Uber?

Drive during peak hours, keep ratings high, minimise fuel and maintenance costs, and track expenses carefully throughout the year.

Are there any good alternatives to Uber and Uber Eats in the UK?

Yes. Bolt, FREE NOW, Deliveroo and Just Eat are popular alternatives, depending on your location. \

Sources:

Uber - Driver Requirements
Uber - Right to Work
Uber - PHL
Uber - Vehicle Requirements
Uber - Vehicle Requirements XL
Uber - Uber Eats Requirements
Uber - Application Process
Uber - Payments
Personnel Checks - DBS Process
Uber - Private Hire License
Uber - Application Requirements
G&M Direct Hire - London Uber Driver Earnings: How Much Can You Make in 2025?
Simply Quote - Uber Fees

Sources last checked on 18 December 2025

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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