What Insurance Do I Need to Drive for Uber in the UK?
6 hours ago
8 min read
Published: 29 September 2026
Written by: Monica Nascimento, Insurance Expert
Thinking about driving for Uber in the UK? Before you start accepting passengers, it is important to understand what type of insurance you need.
Driving passengers for payment is different from using your car for personal journeys or ordinary business purposes. Uber drivers generally need Private Hire Insurance that covers Hire & Reward use, and the policy must meet the requirements of the relevant licensing authority.
But what does that actually mean? What is the difference between Private Hire and Public Hire insurance? Can you use your existing car insurance for Uber? And what documents do you need?
Here is what Uber drivers in the UK need to know about insurance.
What Insurance Do Uber Drivers Need?
Uber drivers generally need Private Hire Insurance that covers the vehicle for Hire & Reward use.
Hire & Reward refers to using a vehicle to carry passengers or goods in return for payment.
Because an Uber driver is carrying passengers for payment, ordinary car insurance is not sufficient for this type of driving.
Uber states that drivers need valid private hire insurance and that the policy must cover Hire & Reward use and meet the requirements of the relevant licensing authority.
The exact requirements can vary depending on where you are licensed. For example, drivers operating in London have different insurance arrangements and requirements from drivers operating elsewhere in the UK.
Why Isn't Standard Car Insurance Enough for Uber?
Standard car insurance is designed for personal use and does not automatically provide cover for carrying passengers for payment.
This is an important distinction for anyone who already has a car and is considering becoming an Uber driver.
You may already have a valid motor insurance policy, but that does not necessarily mean you are insured to use your vehicle as a private hire vehicle.
If you plan to drive for Uber, you need to check that your policy specifically covers the type of licensed driving you will be doing.
Using the wrong type of insurance could leave you without the appropriate cover for your work and may also mean that your insurance does not meet the requirements of your licensing authority or Uber.
What Is Hire & Reward Insurance?
Hire & Reward insurance is specialist motor insurance for vehicles being used to carry passengers or goods for payment.
For Uber drivers, this is particularly relevant because passengers pay for journeys through the Uber platform.
UK Sure's Taxi Insurance information explains that drivers carrying passengers for payment need specialist Taxi Hire & Reward insurance rather than standard car insurance.
The important point is that the policy needs to cover the way you actually use your vehicle.
If you are driving passengers through Uber, you should look for insurance that provides the appropriate Private Hire and Hire & Reward cover.
What Is Private Hire Insurance?
Private Hire Insurance is designed for drivers who carry passengers whose journeys have been booked in advance.
This includes many:
Uber drivers
Bolt drivers
Minicab drivers
Private hire drivers
Private hire vehicles cannot generally pick up passengers from the street or taxi ranks without a booking.
This is different from Public Hire, where licensed taxis can pick up passengers from the street or from taxi ranks.
For an Uber driver, Private Hire Insurance is generally the relevant type of Taxi Insurance.
Private Hire vs Public Hire Insurance
The terms Private Hire and Public Hire can be confusing, particularly if you are new to the taxi and private hire industry.
The main difference is how passengers can be picked up.
Private Hire
Private Hire vehicles carry passengers who have made a booking in advance.
This category can include vehicles used by Uber, Bolt and minicab drivers.
Public Hire
Public Hire insurance is designed for taxis that can legally pick up passengers from the street or from taxi ranks without a prior booking.
This typically applies to licensed black cabs and other authorised public hire vehicles.
The type of insurance you need therefore depends on how you operate your vehicle and the type of licence you hold. [GOV.UK – Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing]
Do Uber Drivers Need a Private Hire Licence?
Yes. Uber states that drivers using the Uber app in the UK need a private hire licence from a licensing authority such as a council. [Uber UK – Driver Requirements]
The licensing process can vary depending on where you operate.
GOV.UK also explains that vehicles used as taxis or private hire vehicles need to be licensed and have insurance covering public or private taxi hire.
This means that getting the right insurance is only one part of becoming an Uber driver. Your vehicle and driver licensing requirements also need to be met.
What Insurance Documents Does Uber Require?
When setting up your Uber driver account, you will need to provide certain documents.
Uber's UK requirements include an insurance certificate and supporting documents where required.
The insurance certificate needs to be current and valid, and the policy must cover private hire and/or the carriage of passengers and goods for Hire & Reward or similar.
Uber also states that important information must match across the relevant documents. For example, the driver's name and vehicle registration need to correspond with the other vehicle and driver documents.
This is why it is important to check your insurance documents carefully before uploading them.
A policy may provide the type of cover you need, but the information on the documents must also meet the relevant verification requirements.
What About Uber Drivers in London?
Insurance requirements can differ depending on where you operate.
For drivers licensed by Transport for London, Uber states that the insurance provider must be accepted by Uber in London and integrated with its Instadoc verification process.
Outside London, drivers can generally choose their insurance provider as long as the policy meets the requirements of their licensing authority and Uber's document requirements.
This is one reason why it is important to check the requirements that apply to your specific licensing area rather than assuming that the same process applies across the whole UK.
Does the Type of Vehicle Matter?
The vehicle you use is also part of the process.
Uber has specific vehicle requirements for drivers in the UK, including requirements relating to the vehicle's age, number of doors, condition and passenger capacity.
Your vehicle also needs to have the appropriate private hire vehicle licensing.
Insurance documents need to correspond with the vehicle being used. Uber states that the vehicle registration, make and model shown on the insurance documentation should match the relevant vehicle records and the vehicle listed on your Uber profile. [Uber UK – Required Documents]
Before arranging insurance, it is therefore worth checking that your vehicle meets both the relevant licensing requirements and Uber's requirements.
How Much Does Taxi Insurance for Uber Drivers Cost?
There is no single price for Taxi Insurance for Uber drivers.
The cost can depend on several factors, including:
Vehicle type and value
Whether the vehicle is used for Private Hire or Public Hire
Operating area
Driving history and experience
Taxi licence type
Claims history
Level of cover selected
This means that two Uber drivers with different vehicles, locations or driving histories may receive very different insurance quotations.
The best way to understand the cost for your circumstances is to obtain a quote based on your actual details.
What Can Taxi Insurance Cover?
The cover available depends on the policy selected.
Taxi Insurance options may include:
Comprehensive cover
Third Party Fire & Theft cover
Third Party Only cover
Public Liability cover, where included
Legal Expenses cover
Driver Assault cover
Replacement vehicle following a non-fault accident
24/7 claims service
Optional Personal Use cover
Optional Unlimited Mileage
Optional Breakdown cover
Not every policy will include all of these features, so it is important to check the details of the policy before choosing your cover.
Can You Drive for Uber With Business Car Insurance?
Business use and private hire use are not the same thing.
If your existing policy allows you to use your car for business purposes, that does not automatically mean you can use it to carry passengers for payment.
Uber specifically states that its insurance requirements include cover for private hire and/or the carriage of passengers and goods for Hire & Reward. Its document guidance also says that policies covering only business use are not accepted for this purpose.
If you are planning to start driving for Uber, check your existing policy rather than assuming that business use provides the cover you need.
What Should You Check Before Starting to Drive for Uber?
Before accepting your first passenger, it is worth checking a few key points.
1. Check your licence
Make sure you have the appropriate private hire driver licence for the area where you intend to operate.
2. Check your vehicle
Your vehicle needs to meet the relevant licensing requirements and Uber's vehicle requirements.
3. Check your insurance
Make sure your policy specifically provides the appropriate Private Hire and Hire & Reward cover.
4. Check your documents
Make sure the information on your insurance certificate and supporting documents matches your driver and vehicle information.
5. Check local requirements
Licensing and insurance requirements can vary between areas, so check the requirements that apply to your licensing authority.
Taking the time to check these details before you start can help avoid problems when setting up your Uber account or getting your documents approved.
What If You Already Have Car Insurance?
If you already have a car insurance policy, do not assume that you need to cancel it immediately or that it automatically covers Uber driving.
Instead, check what your existing policy actually covers.
If it does not provide Private Hire or Hire & Reward cover, you will need to arrange appropriate insurance before using the vehicle to carry Uber passengers.
It is the use of the vehicle that matters. Driving to the shops, commuting to work and carrying passengers for payment are different types of use and may require different insurance arrangements.
Private Hire Insurance for Uber Drivers: A Quick Summary
If you are considering driving for Uber in the UK, the key points are:
Uber drivers generally need Private Hire Insurance.
The policy needs to cover Hire & Reward use.
Standard car insurance is not sufficient for carrying passengers for payment.
Business use does not automatically provide private hire cover.
You need the appropriate private hire driver and vehicle licences.
Insurance requirements can vary depending on your licensing area.
London has specific requirements for private hire insurance.
Your insurance documents need to meet Uber's document requirements.
The cost of Taxi Insurance depends on your circumstances, vehicle and level of cover.
The most important thing is to make sure the insurance you choose matches the way you actually use your vehicle.
Taxi Insurance for Uber Drivers With UK Sure
If you are looking for Taxi Insurance for Uber or private hire driving, UK Sure provides specialist insurance options for private hire, public hire and PCO-licensed drivers across the UK.
UK Sure works with a panel of specialist insurers to compare Taxi Insurance options, with cover available for Uber, Bolt, minicab and other private hire drivers.
If you are ready to explore your insurance options, you can request a Taxi Insurance quote from UK Sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Uber drivers need Taxi Insurance in the UK?
Uber drivers generally need Private Hire Insurance that covers Hire & Reward use. Standard car insurance is not sufficient for carrying passengers for payment.
Can I use my normal car insurance for Uber?
No. Standard car insurance does not provide the appropriate cover for carrying passengers for payment. Uber requires valid private hire insurance that covers Hire & Reward use.
What type of insurance do I need to drive for Uber?
You generally need Private Hire Insurance that covers Hire & Reward use and meets the requirements of your local licensing authority and Uber.
What is the difference between Private Hire and Public Hire?
Private Hire vehicles carry passengers who have booked their journey in advance. Public Hire taxis can legally pick up passengers from the street or taxi ranks without a prior booking.
Do Uber drivers need a private hire licence?
Yes. Uber states that drivers using the Uber app in the UK need a private hire licence from a licensing authority such as a council.
How much does Taxi Insurance for Uber cost?
The cost varies depending on factors such as the vehicle, operating area, driving history and experience, taxi licence type, claims history and level of cover selected.
Do insurance requirements differ in London?
Yes. Drivers licensed by Transport for London have specific insurance requirements. Uber states that insurance providers for London drivers must meet its applicable requirements, including integration with its Instadoc verification process.
What documents do I need to provide to Uber?
Uber's UK requirements include documents such as a driving licence, private hire driving licence, insurance certificate, private hire vehicle licence and other supporting documents, depending on your circumstances and location. [Uber UK – Required Documents]
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