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 Somerset
And Earn More

Drive Fair. Earn Better.

Somerset is a vast, beautifully diverse county, but navigating its transport network shouldn't mean a raw deal for the people behind the wheel. At Zippe, our Drivers are earning more by keeping more of their fares. From the bustling market towns of Taunton and Yeovil to our extensive rural contract networks, we offer fair pay for every single mile. No algorithmic traps. No hidden deductions.

Download the app to get started

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Learn more about Zippe

Why Somerset Drivers choose Zippe

Transparent earnings

In a large county like Somerset, "dead miles" can kill your profits. With Zippe, you see exactly what each trip pays before you accept it. No hidden service fees or surprises at the end of the week.

Your schedule, your rules

Somerset’s mix of market towns, tourism hotspots, and commuter corridors means steady demand throughout the week. Drive the hours that suit your life, with absolutely no minimum commitments and no penalties.

A platform that respects you

Zippe was founded by drivers, for drivers. We believe that a computer can’t replace local knowledge. That’s why you get real, human support. Learn more.

Somerset: Consistent Demand from Town to Country

Driving in Somerset requires versatility. One day you're handling local town runs, and the next you're managing vital rural connections or long-distance airport transfers. We keep our fleet moving with multi-layered demand hubs.

High-demand areas for Zippe drivers in Somerset include:

Commercial & Commuter Hubs: High, consistent daily demand across Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, and Frome.
The Historic & Leisure Circuit: Seasonal and weekend surges in Wells, Glastonbury, Street, and Minehead.
Transport Interchanges: Steady pickup volumes connecting passengers to Taunton Station, Castle Cary, and Yeovil Pen Mill.
Home-2-School Contracts: Secure, guaranteed morning and afternoon income. As an approved partner for 23 local authorities, our school run network is a core pillar of steady revenue for Somerset drivers.

Start earning in Somerset

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 operate with us, you must hold a valid Private Hire or Dual Driver licence issued by Somerset Council (the unified authority), alongside a licensed vehicle and appropriate private hire insurance.
Because Zippe charges a significantly lower, fairer commission than global apps like Uber or Bolt, you keep a much higher percentage of the fare. Combining local town runs with our contract Home-2-School work provides an incredibly stable income.
We accept vehicles that fully comply with Somerset Council's licensing criteria (generally well-maintained, standard saloons, estates, and multi-purpose vehicles). We highly encourage the use of low-emission and Electric Vehicles (EVs) to align with regional environmental goals.

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 Somerset
And Earn More

Drive Fair. Earn Better.