The rise of Uber, like many other ride-hailing apps, is largely down to the flexibility it offers its customers and its drivers.
As an Uber driver, you get to choose how and when you work. Whether you do it as a side hustle or a full-time career, the hours you put in are up to you.
But with so much flexibility, how much can you expect to earn as an Uber driver?
The average Uber driver salary in the United Kingdom is £36,500 per year or £18.72 per hour. Entry level positions start at £29,250 per year while most experienced workers make up to £69,518 per year.
UK Uber drivers earn an estimated average of £7.88 per ride. Based on two rides per hour, that's an hourly rate of £15.76. So a 30-hour week would earn you an income of £472.
On average, how much do Uber drivers get paid?
Full-time Uber drivers in the UK can expect to get paid between £1,260 and £2,840 a month.
Let’s take a look at the numbers…
In 2021, Uber riders in the UK paid an average of between £9 and £12 per ride (excluding tips), depending on location.
To split the difference, let’s call that a national average of £10.50 per trip.
After paying Uber their 25% share of each fare, drivers should pick up £7.88 per ride. As mentioned above, based on two trips per hour, that gives you an estimated hourly income (after paying fees to Uber) of £15.76.
So here’s how much you could earn on average if you worked part-time or full-time as an Uber driver:
Of course, the actual amount you’ll earn can vary. Things like the type of car you drive, when you drive, how long you drive for, and where you drive will all affect how much money you take home.
One thing to be aware of is the general cost of operating your own vehicle as a taxi. Fuel, maintenance fees and vehicle taxes are your responsibility, and they all eat into your wages.
Then there’s private hire insurance. It’s different from your standard motor insurance, as it covers you for using your car as a taxi. You’ll need this in place as a form of private hire insurance before you can drive with Uber, so it’s worth considering the costs before you jump in.
How much do Uber drivers make in London?
Depending on how many hours they work, London Uber drivers can earn between £250 and £800 a week.
If you’re an Uber taxi driver working in central London, you may also need to pay congestion charges. This can be up to £15 a day.
So, if you’re working in a central congestion zone a few times each week, you could end up paying over £2,000 extra a year!
Is the Uber rate different around the country?
The Uber rate is different depending on which city or area of the country you drive in.
Uber calculates each trip payment by estimating the duration and distance, and then applies a set of rates to give you the basic payment amount. These rates are different depending on location.
Other fees and surcharges can also be added, things like tolls and airport parking charges, depending on where you are.
How many hours do Uber drivers work a week?
On average, part-time Uber drivers work around 20 hours a week, while full-time Uber drivers can work 45 hours or more.
Uber has previously stated that the average number of hours worked by UK Uber drivers is around 30. And around 16% work fewer than 10 hours a week.
In 2018, Uber introduced a new driver hours policy, which forces drivers to take a 6-hour rest after 10 hours of driving. This helps to keep drivers and riders safer.
Do Uber drivers get paid tips?
Uber drivers get paid and keep 100% of their tips. Considering that the average customer tips 10-20% of the ride cost, your earnings as an Uber driver can increase significantly from tips.
Uber riders can add a tip and a driver rating in the app following each ride.
Do Uber drivers get holiday pay?
Uber pays its drivers holiday pay each week, calculated at 12.07% of earnings.
They also pay a National Living Wage payment to make sure you earn the minimum wage set by the UK Government.
As an Uber driver, you don’t need to request to take holiday days. You can work or have time off whenever you like. Your holiday payment will be added automatically to your Uber account.
Does Uber pay for petrol?
Uber doesn’t pay for your petrol, so that’s a cost you’ll need to consider if you become a driver.
If you’re covering a lot of miles as an Uber driver, you might want to think about switching to an electric car. It’s greener, cleaner, cheaper to run and you can benefit from EV-specific promotions on Uber, too. Another option to lower spend on fuel would be using a fuel-efficient diesel car.
How do I earn more as an Uber driver?
To maximise your earnings as an Uber driver, use faster and more efficient routes, avoiding congested areas where you can.
Not only is this better for you and your customers, it also helps to reduce your emissions and the amount you spend on fuel.
Here are a few other things you can do to earn more as an Uber driver:
1. Drive at the right times
When the demand for trips is high, the prices go up. Uber calls this surge pricing. This could be at rush hour in a busy city centre, or near a sports venue during a big event. Choose your timings wisely and you could earn more than usual.
2. Go electric to save money
The benefits of switching to an electric vehicle are huge, especially for Uber drivers. Not only will you save money on fuel and emissions charges, you can also earn more per hour through Uber Green and special EV promotions.
3. Try working for more than one company
While Uber is one of the big players in the ridesharing world, there are others offering decent bonuses and promotions to new drivers. Check out companies like Ola and Bolt to see if they’re operating in your area.
Is Uber driving a good job?
Despite the arrival of other ride-hailing options, being an Uber driver is still a popular job choice for people who want the extra flexibility. A recent survey also found that 74% of gig workers are satisfied with their employment situation.
Recent changes mean that Uber drivers are now entitled to holiday pay and National Living Wage Pay, so you’ll be guaranteed a minimum wage for the hours that you work. You can also increase your income through tips and Uber promotions.
Is being a driver for Uber worth it?
Being an Uber driver can be worth it due to the flexibility to choose your own working hours, as well as your earning potential.
Of course, there are potential downsides to consider, such as fuel costs, the costs of using your own vehicle and working on weekends and evenings.
But, if you get the balance right, and take advantage of promotions like surge pricing and Uber Green, you can earn a decent income while working hours that fit around you.
Which city pays Uber drivers the most?
Uber drivers tend to earn the most in London, largely due to the high demand for rides and therefore the higher rates and earning potential.
But cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol also offer good opportunities for Uber drivers, especially during busy times or when large events are happening.
How much do Uber Eats drivers get paid?
On average, Uber Eats drivers in the UK can earn between £7 and £14 an hour. So if you worked a 30-hour-week, you could earn anywhere from £210 to £420 a week.
The amount you’ll earn varies based on things like where you drive, what time of day you drive, and whether your deliveries are in high demand.
As an Uber Eats driver, your fee is made up of three things:
- Pick-up fee — Every time you collect from a new restaurant.
- Drop-off fee — For each separate order you deliver.
- Per-mile rate — For the total distance from pick-up to drop-off.
You can also earn extra money through tips and by using Uber’s Boost function, where fares are multiplied in specific areas at peak times.
The busier the pick-up area, the higher the Boost rate will be. So you could make more money per delivery when demand is expected to be higher.
As with any delivery driver or courier gig, there are outgoings to consider. Things like fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and food delivery insurance. You’ll need to cover these costs yourself, so it’s worth taking these into account when figuring out how much you need to earn.
How much does Uber take?
Uber takes 25% of the total fee for each journey. So if a ride comes to £10, you’ll pay Uber £2.50 and keep £7.50 for yourself.
Uber’s share is taken before any earnings are deposited into your bank account.
How do I become an Uber driver?
You can become an Uber driver in just six steps:
- Sign up online
You’ll need your email address, a smartphone, the Uber driver app and a few personal details. - Get a private hire licence
Your local council will need to provide you a private hire driver licence with before you can start driving for Uber. - Upload your documents
Things like your photo, ID and a copy of your UK driver’s licence. - Choose a vehicle
This can be your existing vehicle or a new one. Either way, it’ll need to meet all the standards set by Uber in the UK. - Complete an onboarding course
Uber provides a virtual onboarding course to help familiarise yourself with the Uber app and its features. - Activate your account
Once you’ve completed all the steps above, activate your account and start driving!
What insurance do I need as an Uber driver?
You’ll need private hire insurance before you can start driving for Uber. This covers you for carrying passengers in exchange for money (also known as Hire & Reward), along with public liability cover in case you’re involved in an incident.
Uber only accepts insurance policies from a specific list of Instadoc-approved providers. And we’re one of them!
You can get a quote for private hire insurance here. It only takes a minute, and we’re fully integrated with the Uber platform, which makes things really easy for you.
