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.

We’re expanding Community by Community

At Zippe, we’re committed to bringing safe, reliable, and community-focused transportation to towns across the UK.

If you don't see your area listed yet, we want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us accurately assess local demand and bridge transportation gaps.

Request an Expansion

East

Coming soon!

North West

Liverpool (H2S only)

Wales

Cardiff (Excl. H2S)

East Midlands

Coming soon!

South East

Southampton (H2S only)

West Midlands

Herefordshire (H2S only)

North East

Coming soon!

South West

Bath & NE Somerset Bristol Bournemouth / Poole North Somerset South Glos Gloucester (H2S) Somerset (H2S) Swindon / Wiltshire

Yorkshire

Coming soon!

Where We Move:
Zippe Service Areas

Connecting Communities Across the South West. Built on the principle of "People over Platforms."

1,780+ Vetted Drivers
Secure Home-2-School

Primary Hub 01

Bath & North East Somerset

The heart of our operations. We provide comprehensive coverage across the entire district, from city centers to rural villages.

Key Locations: Bath City Centre, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, and Chew Valley.

Primary Hub 02

South Gloucestershire

Connecting bustling commercial hubs with residential communities. We are the go-to choice for commuters and shoppers alike.

Key Locations: Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Bradley Stoke, Filton, Kingswood, and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.

Primary Hub 03

North Somerset

rom the coast to the countryside, we provide vital links

Key Locations: Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon, Nailsea, and Backwell

Don’t See Your Town?

We are rapidly expanding! Our mission is to fix the school run and provide safe and secure rides to every corner of the South West.

If you are outside our primary hubs, we may still be able to assist with pre-booked long-distance travel or specialised contract work.

Check Your Area

Use the form below to see if Zippe is in your postcode or to request a launch in your town next.

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We’re expanding Community by Community

Where We Move:
Zippe Service Areas

Bath & North East Somerset

South Gloucestershire

North Somerset

Don’t See Your Town?

Check Your Area

Not in your area yet?

Services

Legal

We’re expanding Community by Community

Where We Move:Zippe Service Areas

Bath & North East Somerset

South Gloucestershire

North Somerset

Don’t See Your Town?

Check Your Area

Not in your area yet?

Services

Legal

Where We Move:
Zippe Service Areas