How Much Do PCO Drivers Earn in London?

Driving for Addison Lee significantly changes the running cost picture. For the first eight weeks, vehicle hire is completely free (subject to drivers meeting the required job targets), giving you a real runway to build your earnings before rental costs kick in. 

After that, additional rental credits are available to offset hire costs, and the most competitive rental rates in the industry mean your ongoing outgoings stay manageable.

Beyond hire costs, Addison Lee’s industry-leading maintenance package covers insurance, maintenance and repairs, removing some of the biggest financial variables drivers face. 

There’s no congestion charge or ULEZ charge to worry about either, as Addison Lee covers those. And if your vehicle ever needs to come off the road, an immediate replacement is provided so you’re not losing income to downtime.

For drivers thinking about the longer term, there’s a pension scheme with a 3% Addison Lee contribution topping up your qualifying earnings, plus holiday pay and critical accident and sickness cover. It’s a package that goes well beyond what most operators offer.

Three things shape your earnings more than anything else:

Hours worked. Private hire driving is self-employed work. The more hours you put in, especially across high-demand periods, the more you earn. There’s no ceiling, but there’s also no guaranteed minimum.

When you drive. Early mornings, evening rush hours, weekends and airport windows typically generate more jobs and higher-value fares. Drivers who structure their week around peak demand consistently earn more than those working the same hours at quieter times.

Who you drive for. The operator you choose determines the quality and volume of jobs coming your way. Corporate operators with large business account books, like Addison Lee, tend to offer higher-value work than consumer app platforms, where pricing is more variable.

Part-time works well as a second income or for drivers easing into the role. The flexibility is real – you set your own hours and take jobs when it suits you.

Full-time is where consistent, reliable income sits. Most full-time drivers earn well as they get to know peak windows and build their routine.

Peak-optimised drivers plan their week around high-demand periods – early morning airport runs, corporate rush hours, Friday and Saturday evenings. With the right schedule, excellent weekly earnings are achievable.

It’s a question that comes up for almost everyone considering how to become a taxi driver in the UK. Here’s the honest comparison.

To drive a black cab in London, you need to pass the Knowledge of London, a qualification that typically takes two to three years of full-time study, involving memorising 25,000 streets and thousands of points of interest. It’s a serious commitment, and the upfront costs are significant.

The London taxi application process for private hire is a different story. A PCO licence takes six to ten weeks and costs around £400–£450 in total, covering your SERU assessment, medical, DBS check and TfL application fee. Most people who become a taxi driver in the UK today take this route.

Once licensed, corporate private hire pays well, with a consistent flow of business account bookings rather than hailing fares off the street.