Information about taking trips
Once you're ready to drive, we can show you at a glance how to accept and navigate your first trip.
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In this video, you’ll learn about:
- Accepting a trip
- Finding your rider
- Picking up your rider
In a quick follow-up video, learn about:
- Navigating with the Driver app
- What to do during a trip
- Dropping off your rider
How to start receiving trip requests
1. When you’re ready to drive, just tap Go. The app will start looking for requests from riders near you.
2. You’ll see the destination and trip payment upfront, so you’ll know where a trip will take you and what you can expect to earn. If the details look good, tap to accept the trip.
3. You can navigate to your rider any way you choose. The Driver app offers navigation as an option.
4. Once you've picked up a rider, slide the "Start trip" button. You can navigate to their destination any way you or your rider want.
5. When you reach the destination, slide the "Complete trip" button.
Tips
Here are a few other tips offered by drivers and riders that you might find helpful.
Using the app to contact a rider
Accepted a trip but can't find your rider? The app lets you call or send a text to them.
Doing a quick name check
Drivers often greet riders by their rider’s name to avoid picking up the wrong person.
Tapping the map
Any time you want to see an overview of the whole route, you can tap the map to zoom out.
Navigating with your favourite app
Your Driver app has a built-in map and directions, but you can also navigate with other apps while driving with Uber.
To set your preferred navigation app, tap the menu icon in the top-left-hand corner. Then tap Account, App Settings, and Navigation.
A guide to stopping on the road in London
Did you know that when operating as a private hire driver in London you are exempt from certain parking & stopping regulations? Whether you are a new driver or one with a wealth of experience, we recommend having a read through the quick guide below as it can help avoid penalties when out on the road.
- Where to pick up and drop off?
You can pick up and drop off in the following marked areas:
- Single or double red lines
- Single or double yellow lines
- Bus lanes
- Parking bays
- Where drivers are NOT allowed to pick up /drop off?
You cannot pick up or drop off in the following areas:
- Areas marked with wide red lines
- Zigzag lines (for example, by pedestrian crossings or school crossings)
- Taxi ranks
- Where there is a 'No stopping' sign
- 'Bus stop clearways' marked with a wide yellow or red line by the kerb
- A few timely exceptions
To avoid getting a penalty in certain areas, pickup and drop-off your riders as quickly and safely as possible. Here are a few exceptions:
- Between 22:00 and 06:00 drivers can stop for up to five minutes on red routes to allow customers to use cash points.
- When assisting wheelchair users this includes additional time to ensure the wheelchair is in the right position and safely secured.
- Bus lane rules and restrictions
Taxis and private hire vehicles can pick up or set down customers in a bus lane even if they are not normally allowed to drive in it. However please note the following guidance:
- If stopping in the bus lane will cause congestion or block the lane, don't pickup or drop-off.
- After a pickup or drop-off private hire drivers must exit the bus lane if during restricted usage times.
- While single and double red lines are acceptable, wide red and yellow lines are not. These currently exist at certain bus stops at Euston Road eastbound (in front of Kings Cross Station) and Bishopsgate northbound (between the junctions with Liverpool Street and Middlesex Street).
- Waiting in Restricted areas
If your rider wants you to wait, pick up, or drop off in a restricted area, please explain stopping restrictions and suggest a legal and safe place to stop the vehicle.
Effective communication is important in these situations as passengers aren’t always aware of the rules of the road. When in doubt, please ensure any pickup and drop-offs are carried out safely. Do not stop in locations that can cause an obstruction or a safety hazard.
Pickups:
If you are picking up, give the rider a call and ask them to wait near a safe & convenient pickup point. Often it is helpful to call out points of interest such as a cash point or supermarket that passengers can easily find.
Drop-offs:
Explain that stopping restrictions are in effect and you will look for a safe and convenient location to stop nearby.
- What to do if you receive a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice)?
If you receive a PCN from a borough or from Transport for London, you are entitled to appeal against it. The details of how to make a challenge will be provided on the PCN, and drivers should follow the procedure outlined. If you are requested to provide evidence that you were on a trip, please follow the steps below to obtain the trip details.
- How to obtain trip details?
1) Log into your account
Visit partners.uber.com and log in with your Uber Partner App username & password.
2) Locate the trip
Under “Payment Statements” find the trip (Use the “PAY PERIOD” drop down to find trips from prior weeks).
3) Print the trip details
Print / take a screenshot of the trip details.
*Please note that Uber is unable to provide any customer details when appealing penalty notices.
- My PCN appeal was rejected. What can I do?
If your initial appeal to the authority is unsuccessful, an appeal can be made to London Tribunals which was formerly known as PATAS (Parking and Traffic Appeals Service). There is no charge for an appeal, and the driver can go to the hearing if desired.
- I am not the owner of the vehicle, but received a PCN whilst using the car. What do I do?
Where you are not the registered keeper of the vehicle, we advise that you discuss with the penalty charge with the registered keeper. We recommend providing all required evidence in one go to ensure they can easily submit an appeal.
- Who can issue a PCN?
Penalty Charge Notices can be only be issued by Transport for London or the local council / Borough. Not all penalty notices are issued in person by an enforcement officer, instead a traffic surveillance camera may detect an infraction.
- Where can I find more information?
Full guidance on the rules for private hire driver pickup & dropoffs can be found on Transport for London’s website.¹
Frequently asked questions
- What if my rider is acting unsafe or rude?
You can report issues with your rider by tapping Help in the menu section, followed by Trip issues and adjustments.
- How do cancellations work?
You can cancel a trip before or after a pick-up. The best way to avoid taking trips you don't want is to go offline when you're no longer available.
- How do I stop getting ride requests when I'm done driving?
Just tap Go offline on the map when you don’t want to get trip requests anymore.
- What if I get a request that's too far for me to drive?
You may occasionally get a ride request with a destination that's far away. You'll see "Long trip" with an estimated trip time at the bottom of your screen when one of these requests is sent to you.
If a trip like this is further than you want to drive, you can always decline. The request will automatically be sent to another driver nearby.
Drive your way in the app
Drive your way in the app
The information provided on this web page is intended for informational purposes only and may not be applicable in your country, region, or city. It is subject to change and may be updated without notice.
¹ Information supplied has been sourced from guidance published by Transport for London at https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/parking-information
*It is your responsibility to adhere to all road rules and regulations. Uber takes no responsibility for inaccurate or out-of-date information.
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