become a driver

Addison Lee drivers earn strong weekly incomes, with opportunities to maximise earnings through airport jobs, peak-time bookings and loyalty incentives. There is great potential for drivers to earn over £2,000 a week with Addison Lee.

Morning airport runs (4am-10am) and evening rush hour jobs (4pm-8pm) are peak earning periods. For example, a typical week could include two early Heathrow runs, daytime corporate bookings and a Friday evening city run.

Planning your shifts during peak hours helps maximise your income. Our team can advise on schedules to suit your goals and lifestyle. Example weekly schedules, peak time tips and bonus structures are available from our recruitment team.

Addison Lee drivers earn excellent weekly incomes, with opportunities to maximise these earnings through airport jobs, peak-time bookings and loyalty incentives. Example earnings are available on request from our recruitment team.

This week’s top earners at Addison Lee earned:

£2,225.47

£2,209.52

£2,075.77

£2,002.74

£1,956.10

Addison Lee driver jobs are completely flexible. Work the hours that suit you best. There are periods during the week where we are busier and specific incentives are in place to encourage drivers to work. During the week, we are particularly busy during the early morning and evening periods and at weekends we are very busy later in the evening.

Unlike other car driver jobs we offer a vehicle rental scheme, where the more journeys you complete the cheaper the weekly vehicle rental charges become. Addison Lee vehicles are all typically less than 3 years old and are regularly maintained by our dedicated service technicians. This means that the hassle of organising insurance, MOT and PHV checks, repairs or replacement vehicle will be taken care of for you, allowing you to stay on the road and never miss an opportunity to earn more money. As a self-employed driver it is your responsibility to hire a vehicle and to pay for the fuel/ev charging and other costs.

Customers pay for their journeys in two ways, so there are two ways we pay you. Simple.

Account transactions

• Account customers pay us directly via their accounts. We’ll add this money up and pay it into your bank each week.

Non Account transactions

• For cash jobs, the money is paid directly to drivers and for card jobs it is paid into your bank account each week.

You will need to provide us with your driving licence (either your paper licence or photocard licence), your PCO license (both parts) and 2 forms of identification clearly showing your current address. We can provide advice on the PCO license process, please contact driver recruitment on 0207 255 4204 or alternatively email driverrecruitment@addisonlee.com for more information.

Above all, we look for enthusiasm and reliability in drivers. Experience with private hire driver jobs is not necessary as we encourage new drivers in the industry to join Addison Lee and we will provide industry leading training. You will need to apply for a PCO licence via Transport for London.

Founded in 1975, Addison Lee is a proud London-based company known for quality, reliability, and exceptional service. Now part of ComfortDelGro, one of the world’s largest land transport companies, we are backed by a global leader in mobility solutions, strengthening our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and service excellence.

As the trusted choice of 85% of FTSE 100 companies, Addison Lee offers a consistently high-quality service. We are committed to safe, environmentally responsible passenger transportation, upholding a strong duty of care.

Yes. All Addison Lee drivers are self-employed and responsible for their own tax and national insurance.

With over 100,000 licensed private hire drivers and thousands of black cab drivers, the sector continues to grow to meet the city’s transport demands. Recent trends show an increasing shift towards ZEC vehicles and app-based bookings, offering drivers more flexibility and efficiency.  It’s a great time to become a taxi driver.

Becoming a taxi driver in London means joining a respected profession that keeps London moving 24/7, supporting its economy, tourism and local communities. It’s a career with heritage, pride and future potential in the UK’s busiest city.

Driving in London offers a rewarding career with flexibility, great earning potential and the opportunity to meet new people every day.

Whether you’re looking for a complete career change or additional income alongside your current commitments, completing your London taxi application and becoming a taxi driver or private hire driver puts you in control of your work and earnings.

To become a private hire driver with Addison Lee, you need a PCO Licence issued by TfL. This lets you drive pre-booked jobs only and offers a quicker route into the industry compared to The Knowledge test for black cabs.

• Apply for your PCO Licence (full guide on our PCO Licence page).
• Complete your medical and DBS checks.
• Pass your topographical skills test.
• Onboard with Addison Lee and start earning.

To become a licensed taxi driver (black cab driver), you will need to pass The Knowledge, which takes around 2-3 years to complete. It involves memorising over 25,000 streets within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross and key routes and landmarks. Once passed you can onboard with ComCab London, part of the Addison Lee Group.

The London taxi application process varies depending on your choice.

Timelines can vary, but private hire applications average 8-16 weeks, and black cab Knowledge training can take 2-3 years.

Common mistakes TfL come across include incomplete medical forms, errors on your DBS application, or missing proof of address. It’s always worth taking a look at TfL’s fee table and check you have the funds ready in advance to avoid delays.

Addison Lee’s team can support you to become a private hire driver at each stage to ensure a smooth application. The application process differs depending on your choice:

• Private Hire Licence (PCO): Apply online with TfL, provide proof of documents, complete your tests, and receive your badge in as little as 8 weeks.
• Black Cab Licence: Register for The Knowledge, pass your multiple stage oral exams, and apply for your taxi driver licence upon completion.

Our drivers are equipped with:

• In-car device with bookings and navigation
• Real-time traffic updates
• Access to your portal to track earnings and bonuses

We ensure all vehicles are maintained to the highest standard with regular servicing and safety checks. You’ll also benefit from critical accident and sickness cover.

Yes, we’ll top up 5% of your qualifying pensionable earnings through a 3% contribution. This helps build a secure future while you focus on earning. Our pension scheme is industry-leading and available to all eligible drivers.

Yes, all drivers must register as self-employed with HMRC or set up a limited company depending on what suits you best. We can advise on options to boost your income and stay compliant each year. Registering is straightforward and means you can manage your earnings efficiently while taking advantage of tax-deductible expenses.