Time is money in the private hire industry. Every minute you are off the road due to vehicle maintenance, repairs, MOT, or insurance claims is the minute you are not earning.

One way to minimize downtime is to use PCO hire, which can offer simplicity, speed, and the potential for fewer surprises. However, not all PCO hire packages are the same. Some may offer partial assistance, while others may provide more comprehensive support, like full-service PCO car hire.

With a full-service hire package, you can focus more on driving and earning, while your car provider manages the admin, paperwork, and several other tasks.

In this article, we will explore what’s typically included in a full-service PCO hire package, helping you better understand how it might be beneficial for your driving needs.

PCO Vehicle Licence

PCO driving isn’t just about getting a car, hitting the road, and starting to earn. There are various technicalities and compliance requirements, and if you’re not careful, you could face significant challenges for violating the law.

A notable advantage of PCO car hire is that many technical details and compliance matters are often managed by your car provider. For example, the car you drive needs to be licensed as a private hire vehicle to be eligible for carrying paying passengers through platforms like Uber, Bolt, and others.

Similarly, it must display the correct signage and have the required documents in place. If an enforcement officer stops you on the road, these requirements will help ensure you are compliant. A full-service PCO car hire company typically handles all these aspects, allowing you to focus on driving and earning.

Fully Comprehensive Private Hire Insurance

An average PCO driver spends 8-10 hours on the road daily. This can increase the likelihood of accidents or conflicts compared to regular drivers. A full-service PCO hire package often includes fully comprehensive insurance to help protect you in case of accidents or false claims.

For example, if you’re involved in an accident and damage your vehicle or another vehicle, you could be covered for auto body repairs.

Fully comprehensive insurance also typically covers third-party claims, which means that if someone else gets injured or their property is damaged while you’re working, you may not need to bear the financial burden. The insurance generally covers such situations, alleviating a lot of potential stress.

Similarly, if your car is stolen or damaged due to fire, it’s likely that you will still have coverage.

Servicing & Maintenance

With full-service PCO hire, servicing and maintenance are often included in the package. This means that when it’s time to change oil, replace tyres, or repair brake pads, the car provider typically handles these tasks for you.

In addition, private hire vehicles generally need to pass an MOT check every six months. For this, the interior, exterior, and every component must be in good condition. If the car isn’t properly maintained, it could fail the check and be ineligible for PCO use.

Dealing with all these aspects independently can be time-consuming and stressful, and it may result in increased downtime. Imagine scheduling appointments, leaving your car in the garage, and potentially going days without working due to maintenance issues.

With full-service PCO car hire, many of these responsibilities are usually handled by your car provider, with the associated costs often included in your weekly fee. This enables you to spend more time driving and less time dealing with maintenance tasks.

24/7 Breakdown Assistance

Things can go wrong at any time on the road. Sometimes, it could be something as simple as a flat tyre, while other times, a more serious engine problem might lead to a vehicle breakdown during your shift. This could leave you stranded while passengers cancel their rides, potentially resulting in negative reviews.

With full-service PCO hire, you often get access to 24/7 breakdown assistance. This means that if your car breaks down at any time, all you need to do is inform your car provider, and help will likely be on the way. There’s no need to search for a reliable garage or tow truck – just a quick phone call may help resolve the situation, which can be a significant relief.

Road Tax

Every vehicle is required to pay an annual road tax to legally use public roads. If you are caught driving without paying the road tax, there could be penalties, and your PCO licence may be affected.

One of the potential benefits of full-service PCO hire is that road tax is often covered in your package, with the fee usually incorporated into your weekly hire costs. This means you don’t have to keep track of due dates, deal with the paperwork, or wait for renewal notices. Furthermore, you likely won’t have to worry about paying hundreds of pounds upfront for the tax each year.

Everything is generally taken care of by your car provider, making your life a bit simpler and helping your work run more smoothly.

A Replacement Car

Imagine you’re involved in an accident or your car requires extended repairs due to a mechanical fault. Your earnings could be significantly affected, as no car means no driving, and ultimately, no income.

The full-service PCO hire package may help address this concern. If your car is out of action, you could be provided with a like-for-like replacement vehicle. For instance, if you were driving a hybrid Toyota Prius, you may receive a similar car with comparable specifications, rather than a small petrol hatchback that might not suit your usual rides.

This can be particularly helpful for PCO drivers who depend on their daily income to cover expenses like rent, bills, and family costs. A replacement car helps you stay on the road and continue earning without interruptions.

Summary

A full-service hire is a comprehensive solution for PCO drivers who don’t own their vehicles. It may save you considerable time and effort by handling vehicle insurance, MOTs, road tax, and other responsibilities for an affordable weekly fee, giving you peace of mind. If you’ve been looking for a more straightforward way to drive for Uber, Bolt, or other ride-hailing platforms, this option could be worth considering.