I already drive for Uber in Bristol. Can I just add Zippe to my existing setup?

Yes, straightforwardly. Your Bristol City Council private hire driver’s and vehicle licences already cover you to work for any licensed private hire operator — you don’t need a new licence to add Zippe. Download the Zippe Driver app, upload your existing licence documents, and you’re typically approved within 48 hours. You can then run both platforms simultaneously.

Does it matter what car I drive?

It matters to Bristol City Council’s licensing team more than it matters to Zippe. The council requires your vehicle to be under 10 years old, pass their vehicle inspection, and meet their private hire vehicle standards. Within those parameters, Zippe accepts saloons, estates, MPVs, hybrids, electric vehicles, and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Can I work in Bath with a Bristol City Council licence?

A Bristol City Council private hire licence authorises you to accept pre-booked trips through a Bristol-licensed operator. Trips that begin in Bristol and end in Bath are generally fine. Basing yourself primarily in Bath and accepting trips originating there is a more complex question — the rules on cross-boundary PHV operation are nuanced and worth confirming directly with Bristol City Council.

What’s the DVLA check code and do I actually need it?

Yes. Bristol City Council requires a DVLA licence check code as part of your application — it allows them to view your driving record online without you posting your physical licence. Generate it through the DVLA’s 'Share Driving Licence' service on gov.uk. Note that each code expires after 21 days.

Is there a knowledge test for private hire drivers in Bristol?

No. Bristol City Council does not require a topographical knowledge test for private hire licence applicants. (The knowledge test applies to hackney carriage — black cab — licences only.)

I have a Bristol licence. Can I drive in Bath?

A Bristol City Council licence allows you to pick up pre-booked passengers through a Bristol-licensed operator. If you plan to base yourself primarily in Bath, you should contact the B&NES licensing team to ensure you are compliant with their specific cross-boundary rules. Often, if Bath is your main area, a B&NES licence is the safer, more professional route.

B&NES has specific vehicle standards regarding age and condition. Always check the B&NES council website before purchasing a vehicle for work. Hybrids and EVs are increasingly popular in Bath—they are cheaper to run in stop-start city traffic and are a big hit with eco-conscious tourists.

OUR COMMITMENT

Transport is more than a service:
it’s a responsibility.

We’re ensuring every taxi and private hire trip is safe, reliable, and responsible, for passengers and Drivers alike.

Safe

Reliable

Ethical

Responsible

OUR MISSION

The journey to making communities better.

We didn't just notice the flaws in the traditional rideshare model; we witnessed first-hand its destructive impact on drivers and local economies. In 2017, we decided enough was enough, and we committed ourselves to building a better, fairer system.

Our success is already evident: we are proudly approved as a Home-2-School transport provider for 23 Local Authorities, demonstrating our capacity for reliable, high-trust service.

And we're not stopping there—this is just the beginning of truly sustainable ridesharing.

Approved Across 23 Local Authorities

At the core of our proposition is the idea of giving back.

Daniel McIntyre, Founder & CEO

OUR DNA

Built by Drivers. For Drivers.

Built on the road, not in a boardroom

Zippe wasn't engineered by tech executives looking at spreadsheets from a distance. We built this platform right from the front seat. Our foundation is rooted in thousands of hours behind the wheel, navigating traffic, managing schedules, and learning exactly what it takes to transport people safely and comfortably.

Most platforms treat Drivers like a number in an algorithm, pushing for volume at the expense of quality. We know the reality. Because Zippe was founded and built by experienced Drivers, we designed a platform that respects your time, values your professionalism, and protects your safety. When Drivers are treated right, passengers get a fundamentally better ride.

Fairer Earnings

Transparent structures designed to reward your hard work, not pocket it.

Total Respect

A platform built around Driver well-being, strict vetting, and local community support.

OUR JOURNEY

Our Roots: From the Driver’s Seat to a Regional Movement

2017 • The First Mile Origin

Zippe didn’t start in a boardroom; it started behind the wheel. Our founder, Daniel McIntyre, witnessed first-hand how global platforms were removing the "human element" from local transport.

2020 • A New Mission Launch

We became Zippe with a singular mission: to fix a broken industry. We committed to building a system where technology serves the community, not the other way around.

Building ethical, community-first transport across the region. EST. 2017

OUR CORE DIFFERENCE

Why We Are Different

PILLAR 01

People Over Platforms

While global competitors are racing toward "driverless" models, Zippe is doubling down on humans. We believe that a computer can’t read a pedestrian’s body language or offer a helping hand to a student on their first day of school. To us, our 1,780+ Drivers are the value, not the cost.

PILLAR 02

The "Fairness First" Model

We believe that safe rides start with fair treatment. By offering the highest Driver pay in the region, we attract the most experienced, dedicated, and professional Drivers in Bath, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. When a Driver is respected, the service is superior.

PILLAR 04

Keeping it Local

When you book with Zippe, your money doesn't disappear into a global corporate fund. It stays here. Our profits are reinvested into our local economy and used to support community causes and charities right here in the South West.

PILLAR 03 23 Local Authorities Approved

The Gold Standard of Safety

Safety isn’t a marketing buzzword; it’s our foundation. This is why we are now the approved Home-2-School provider across the region.

Enhanced Vetting

Every Driver undergoes rigorous, enhanced DBS checks.

Real-Time Peace of Mind

Our app allows us to track every mile in real-time.

Compliant Fleet

Every vehicle is maintained to the highest local regulatory standards.

What Matters To Us

Safety

Your safety is our top priority, guaranteed by fully DBS-checked, licensed drivers who complete rigorous vetting. Every journey features real-time tracking for total peace of mind.

Reliability

Count on us for dependable, on-time service that ensures you get where you need to be without the stress. Staff adhere to a strict code of conduct focused on discretion and respect.

Community-Focus

Every ride helps support local charities and strengthens our community, making a positive impact with every trip. We foster strong relationships that contribute directly to our area.

Fairness

We are the ethical transport company, ensuring both riders and licensed drivers benefit from a service built on fair pay, respect, and integrity.

The Competitive Edge

Why Zippe Outperforms Traditional Cab Apps

Most massive transport networks measure success solely on transaction volume, often sacrificing quality and passenger peace of mind. Zippe takes a different route.

Because we are built by experienced transport professionals, we fixed the flaws that plague mainstream ride-sharing. We treat our Drivers with professional respect and lower platform fees, which means they are highly motivated to deliver on-time, dependable customer service.

Combined with our rigid, safety-first vetting—including mandatory Enhanced DBS checks and local council licensing—Zippe is proudly stepping up as the best cab app for premium, community-first travel.

LIVE NOW

Home-2-School, without the worry.

Peace of mind for parents, confidence for schools, and safe travel for every child.

Explore Home-2-School

COMING SOON

Ethical Ride Share.

Everyday local rides powered by fair Driver pay, transparent pricing, and local community support.

Learn More

COMING SOON

Access for every journey.

Trained Drivers and equipped vehicles designed around comfort, dignity, and independence.

COMING SOON

Better business travel.

Ethical transportation that supports your people, your purpose, and your environmental goals.

Transport is more than a service:
it’s a responsibility.

The journey to making communities better.

Built by Drivers. For Drivers.

Our Roots: From the Driver’s Seat to a Regional Movement