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Whether driving for Uber full-time or part-time, understanding the insurance you need will help you stay protected and legally compliant. Find the right Uber driver insurance today with Money Expert.
Uber is a ride-hailing app that connects passengers with drivers through a smartphone platform. This means you can earn money by giving people lifts using your own car or a rented vehicle.
In the UK, Uber operates as a private hire service. You can only accept pre-booked trips through the app rather than picking up passengers on the street like traditional black cabs.
The platform handles everything automatically: fare calculation, payment processing, and matching you with nearby passengers. You choose when to work, making it a flexible option for people who want to control their own schedule.
Getting started with Uber is fairly straightforward, but you need to meet several criteria first. The requirements exist to ensure passenger safety and legal compliance.
Before you can drive with Uber, you'll need to meet Uber's own basic criteria, and separately obtain a private hire licence from your local council, which comes with its own requirements.
Uber's requirements:
Be at least 18 years old
Hold a valid UK driving licence (EU licences must be converted first)
Provide a bank statement in your name (or a business you own)
Have a driver profile photo taken at a Greenlight Hub
Council licensing requirements (vary by area):
A private hire licence from a council that Uber is licensed by
This process typically includes background checks, and may include a knowledge or topographical test, depending on your local authority
Licence duration and experience requirements vary by city; Uber's Ignition programme offers support if you don't already hold a licence
Once you've got your documents and licence sorted, there are a few more steps before you can start driving:
Approved vehicle: Your car needs to meet Uber's vehicle requirements for the UK (age, condition and size vary by vehicle tier). Don't have an eligible car yet? Uber's vehicle solutions can help.
Insurance: You'll need private hire insurance that covers the type of licensed driving you do. In London, this must be with a provider accepted by Uber and integrated with Instadoc; outside London, requirements vary by local authority, so check with your council.
Pre-boarding course: A short virtual course covering the Uber app and its features, which you'll need to complete before activating your account.
Activate your account: Book a Greenlight Hub appointment to activate your account, bringing your private hire licence, driving licence, National Insurance number, a recent bank statement and your insurance certificate.
The whole process can take several weeks due to the various checks and applications involved. Starting your council application early helps speed things up.
Uber provides commercial liability insurance that covers drivers during active trips. This means you have protection when you're carrying a passenger or driving to collect one. However, this cover only applies in specific circumstances.
Understanding when Uber's policy protects you is essential for staying legally compliant. The cover works in three distinct phases:
App offline: No cover from Uber at all. You need your own private hire insurance or standard car insurance if you're not working
App online, waiting for a trip: Uber provides limited third-party liability cover, but your own hire and reward policy should be your primary protection during this phase
Trip accepted and in progress: Uber's commercial policy provides comprehensive cover, including third-party liability and passenger protection
Even with Uber's cover during trips, you still need your own private hire insurance. Uber's policy is designed to supplement your personal cover, not replace it entirely.
This is a common point of confusion for new drivers. Many assume Uber's insurance is enough, but gaps in cover could leave you personally liable for significant costs if something goes wrong.
Learn more about Uber Partner Protection
Uber drivers in the UK must have private hire insurance, also known as hire and reward cover. This is a specific type of policy designed for people who carry passengers for payment.
Standard personal car insurance does not cover you when carrying passengers for money. Driving without the correct policy is illegal and could invalidate any claims you make, leaving you to pay for damages yourself.
Private hire insurance covers vehicles that are pre-booked through an operator like Uber. This differs from public hire insurance, which covers traditional black cabs that passengers can hail on the street.
Feature | Private hire insurance | Public hire insurance |
Journey type | Pre-booked trips through apps | Street hailing and taxi ranks |
Typical use | Uber, Bolt, and similar platforms | Licensed black cabs and hackney carriages |
Premium cost | Generally lower | Higher due to increased street-hailing risk |
Some insurers offer rideshare add-ons or gap extensions that provide additional protection during the waiting phase when Uber's cover is limited. These policies can sometimes be more affordable than full private hire cover, so exploring your options is worthwhile.
Hire and reward is the legal term for insurance that covers you when transporting passengers for payment. Without this specific cover, you're breaking the law every time you accept a fare.
Your insurer needs to know you're working as a private hire driver. If you have an accident and your policy doesn't include hire and reward cover, your claim will be rejected. You could also face prosecution for driving without valid insurance.
A comprehensive private hire policy protects you, your vehicle, and your passengers across different scenarios. The level of cover varies depending on whether you choose third-party only, third-party fire and theft, or fully comprehensive insurance.
Here's what different policy levels typically include:
Third-party only: The legal minimum. Covers damage or injury you cause to other people, vehicles, or property, but nothing for your own car. You should also make sure your Third Party Liability insurance (insurance for if you hit someone or something) is comprehensive.
Third-party fire and theft: Everything above, plus protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire
Fully comprehensive: The highest level of protection, including repairs to your own vehicle following a collision or accident
Most private hire drivers choose fully comprehensive cover because their vehicle is essential for earning money. Without it, an accident could leave you without transport and unable to work.
Beyond the basic policy types, you can often add extra protection:
Passenger liability: Cover for injuries to passengers travelling in your vehicle
Replacement vehicle: A temporary car while yours is being repaired, keeping you on the road and earning
Public liability insurance: Protection against claims from members of the public, such as a passenger tripping while getting into your car
Breakdown cover: Assistance if your vehicle breaks down during a shift
Legal expenses: Help with legal costs if you need to pursue or defend a claim
When comparing policies, check whether cover applies during all phases of your work: offline, waiting for trips, and during active journeys. Some policies only cover you during booked trips, leaving gaps that could prove costly.
Private hire insurance typically costs more than standard car insurance because of the increased mileage and risk involved. However, there are practical ways to reduce your premiums without compromising on cover.
Prices vary significantly between insurers, so comparing quotes from multiple providers is the most effective way to find a better deal. Specialist private hire insurers often offer more competitive rates than general insurers because they understand the market better.
The excess is the amount you pay towards any claim before your insurer covers the rest. Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess reduces your premium because you're taking on more of the risk yourself. Make sure you can actually afford to pay the excess if you need to make a claim. Setting it too high could cause problems if you have an accident.
A telematics policy uses a device or app to monitor your driving behaviour. Safe driving habits like smooth braking, sensible speeds, and careful cornering can earn you lower premiums over time. This option works particularly well for newer drivers building up their no-claims history. It gives insurers evidence that you're a safe driver, which reduces the risk they're taking on.
Spreading payments monthly is convenient, but insurers charge interest on monthly installments. Paying your premium in one annual lump sum saves money over the year. If you can't afford the full amount upfront, some insurers offer interest-free payment plans. It's worth asking about these options when getting quotes.
Fitting approved security devices can reduce your premium. Insurers view these measures as reducing the risk of theft, which lowers your overall risk profile.
Avoiding accidents and driving convictions is one of the most effective ways to keep premiums down. Each year without a claim builds your no-claims bonus, which can significantly reduce future costs. Even minor convictions like speeding points can increase your premium for several years. Driving carefully protects both your safety and your wallet.
Money Expert has been helping customers compare and save since 2003. We offer impartial comparisons across car insurance products, with no fees and no obligation.
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Uber provides commercial liability insurance that covers drivers during active trips, but this only applies when you have a passenger or are en route to collect one. You still need your own private hire insurance to cover periods when the app is offline or when you're waiting for trip requests.
Uber's insurance covers you from the moment you accept a trip request until the passenger exits your vehicle. During the waiting phase with the app online, Uber provides limited third-party cover, but your own hire and reward policy remains your primary protection.
Yes. UK law requires all drivers to have valid insurance, and standard personal car insurance does not cover hire and reward activities. You need private hire insurance that specifically covers carrying passengers for payment. Driving for Uber without the correct cover is illegal and means any claims would be rejected.
Driving without valid hire and reward insurance is a criminal offence. If you're caught, you could face a fine, points on your licence, or even disqualification from driving. Any accident claims would also be rejected, leaving you personally responsible for all costs.
No. Standard personal car insurance policies specifically exclude hire and reward activities. If you try to claim after an accident while working for Uber, your insurer will reject it. You need a separate private hire insurance policy or a policy that includes hire and reward cover.
Fitting approved security devices can reduce your premium. Insurers view these measures as reducing the risk of theft, which lowers your overall risk profile.
• Steering wheel locks
• Immobilisers
• GPS tracking systems
• Dashcams (some insurers offer discounts for these)
