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.

Drive with Zippe in Newport
And Earn More

Drive Fair. Earn Better.

Newport is one of the fastest-growing cities in Wales—and Zippe drivers here are earning more by keeping more of their hard-earned money. From the busy commercial hubs around Friars Walk and Gwent Square to the high-demand commuter corridors along the M4, we provide an ethical platform built on fair pay. No corporate gimmicks. No surprise deductions from your payout.

Download the app to get started

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Learn more about Zippe

Why Newport Drivers choose Zippe

Transparent earnings

Don't get stuck in traffic tunnels for less than you're worth. With Zippe, you see the exact fare breakdown before you accept any booking. No hidden percentages or unexpected "platform fees" deducted from your weekly self-bills.

Your schedule, your rules

Newport’s blend of industrial estates, student areas, and tourist hotspots means steady demand day and night. Log on whenever it suits your life, with no minimum hours and zero penalties for choosing when you work.

A platform that respects you

Zippe was built to change a broken industry, putting people over platforms. Unlike global giants, we offer dedicated support from a team you can actually reach. Learn more.

Newport: High Demand Across the City

Navigating Newport requires a keen eye for local shortcuts, whether you're handling cross-city commutes or managing late-night hospitality runs. We keep our local drivers busy by focusing on the city's key travel hubs.

High-demand areas for Zippe drivers in Newport include:

Retail & Entertainment: Heavy pickup volumes around Friars Walk Shopping Centre, Kingsway Centre, and the vibrant riverfront dining spots.
Commuter Infrastructure: Reliable, consistent transfers to Newport Railway Station, serving passengers connecting to Bristol, Cardiff, and beyond.
Corporate & Industrial Hubs: Frequent business bookings servicing Celtic Springs Business Park, Cleppa Park, and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Event Hotspots: High-value bookings targeting world-class events at the Celtic Manor Resort and nearby sporting venues.
Student Transit: Steady daily travel demand connecting campus housing with the University of South Wales (USW) Newport Campus.

Start earning in Newport

Download our Driver app

Download the Driver app and create your account to get started with Zippe.

Upload your personal documents

Safety is important for us at Zippe, so we review and verify all of the required documents before you start driving with us.
Please allow up to 48 hours.

Add vehicle and bank details

We need to know your vehicle information and review and verify this, so uploading vehicle documents is the next thing to do. We also want to ensure you're paid weekly, so be sure to add your payment information. Please allow up to 48 hours.

Start driving!

Once your profile is confirmed you’ll be up and running as a Zippe Driver! Remember our Driver support team can be found within the ‘Help & Support’ section within your app and are happy to help.

Experiences that speak volumes

South Gloucestershire Driver

“I highly recommend to everyone to become a Zippe Driver, it is the best company. They’re friendly, and sometimes you feel like family, you know - and when you work with a company like that, you feel at home and you don't feel like a stranger”
Bath & North East Somerset Driver

"I have absolutely no problems driving with Zippe at all. I’d say that they're straight, they're friendly, they're easy to deal with, they’re understanding if you've got an issue or a problem, which means you can't fulfil a trip."
Tony (Driver)

“Since September 2024 when I first met the management and staff, I found them all friendly and welcoming, and I find them very accommodating when I explained my usual set pattern of working hours. They communicate well and really helped me out when my vehicle broke down recently by providing me with a rental vehicle in order for me to continue working!! All in all I find the company a breath of fresh air in that they will always talk to you, solve any problems, and all with a cheery attitude. Good stuff zippe!!!”
Hannah (Driver)

“Zippe are a great company to work for, the staff are all very friendly and approachable. They are also quick to respond to any queries or issues that I have.”
South Gloucestershire Driver

"I do recommend other drivers to be part of Zippe's team - or you could say family. It's a whole system, everything is organised, everything in place, you know what job you're doing"

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Zippe Driver FAQ, your guide to how we’re redefining the transport industry. From competitive earnings and steady school contracts to our "family-first" ethical culture, you’ll find clear, honest answers to all your most important questions right here.

Yes. To drive with Zippe in this area, you must hold a valid Private Hire Driver's licence issued by Newport City Council (Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd), alongside a licensed vehicle and appropriate private hire hire-and-reward insurance.
Because Zippe operates with a lower, fairer model than traditional rideshare platforms, your take-home pay is higher than the industry average. Steady demand across the city center guarantees a consistent stream of jobs.
We welcome a broad variety of vehicles that comply directly with Newport City Council standards—typically clean, modern multi-purpose vehicles, saloons, and estates. We highly encourage electric and hybrid vehicles to help lower the city's carbon footprint.

Contact us for additional support

Ready To Drive?

Drive Fair. Earn Better.

Get started for free on the Zippe Driver App

Drive with Zippe in Newport
And Earn More

Drive Fair. Earn Better.