What do you need to drive for Zippe?

Getting started with Zippe is more straightforward than most people expect. This page covers everything you’ll need: your personal licence, your vehicle requirements, insurance, and the documents you’ll upload when you apply. If you’ve got questions not answered here, our support team is on hand.

At a glance: what you’ll need

HTML Table Generator
                                      Requirement What this means
✓  Full UK driving licence Held for at least 12 months. Must be a full licence, provisional licences are not accepted.
✓ Private hire driver’s licence Issued by your local council (e.g. Bristol City Council or Bath & North East Somerset Council). This is the licence that allows you to carry paying passengers legally.
✓ Private hire vehicle licence Your car must also be separately licensed by your council as a private hire vehicle. This is in addition to your personal driver’s licence.
✓ Private hire (hire & reward) insurance Standard motor insurance does not cover carrying paying passengers. You need specialist private hire insurance, sometimes called ‘hire and reward’ cover.
✓ Enhanced DBS check A Disclosure and Barring Service criminal record check. Usually arranged through your council as part of the licence application.
✓  DVLA Group 2 medical A medical examination confirming you’re fit to drive professionally. Can be completed with your GP or a DVLA-approved doctor.
✓  Right to work in the UK You must be legally entitled to work in the UK. Zippe will verify this during onboarding.
✓  Eligible vehicle Your car must meet your council’s private hire vehicle standards. See the vehicle requirements section below.
Get Started
Get Started

Personal Licence Requirements

Your personal private hire licence

To drive for any private hire platform in the UK (including Zippe), you need a private hire driver’s licence issued by a local council. This is separate from your standard driving licence and specific to carrying paying passengers.

The exact process varies slightly between councils, but the core requirements are consistent across England and Wales:

  • You must be at least 21 years old (some councils require 25)

  • You must hold a full UK driving licence, held for a minimum of 12 months

  • You must pass an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check

  • You must pass a DVLA Group 2 medical examination

  • You must have the right to work in the UK

  • You must not hold certain criminal convictions: your council’s licensing team will provide the full list

Some councils also require a basic topographical knowledge test (familiarity with local roads) and/or an English language assessment. Check with your specific licensing authority before applying.

HTML Table Generator
Area
 Licensing authority Licence type
Bristol Bristol City Council Private hire driver + vehicle
Bath & North East Somerset B&NES Council Private hire driver + vehicle
North Somerset North Somerset Council Private hire driver + vehicle
South Gloucestershire South Gloucestershire Council Private hire driver + vehicle
Cardiff Cardiff Council Private hire driver + vehicle
Newport Newport City Council Private hire driver + vehicle
Gloucester Gloucester City Council Private hire driver + vehicle
Wiltshire Wiltshire Council Private hire driver + vehicle

Licensing authorities by area

Zippe is rapidly expanding to meet the growing demand for ethical, community-focused transport. We currently operate across the heart of the South West, and we’re adding new regions to support our network of 23 local authority partners.

Here is a breakdown of our current primary operating hubs and the direct links you need to start your licensing journey in each area.

Vehicle Requirements

Your vehicle needs to be separately licensed by your local council as a private hire vehicle (PHV). This is distinct from your driver’s licence and must be renewed periodically.

While exact standards vary by council, the following apply across all of Zippe’s operating areas:

HTML Table Generator
                                      Standard Notes
✓ Vehicle age Most councils require the vehicle to be under 10 years old at the time of licensing. Some allow older vehicles if they pass a rigorous inspection.
✓  Valid MOT A current MOT certificate is required. Council vehicle inspections are typically more thorough than a standard MOT.
✓  Council vehicle inspection Your vehicle must pass a council-approved inspection before it can be licensed. This covers safety, comfort, and vehicle condition.
✓  Licensed vehicle plate Once approved, your vehicle must display the council’s licensed vehicle plate — typically on the rear of the car.
✓  Private hire insurance The vehicle must be insured for private hire use (‘hire and reward’). Standard motor insurance is not sufficient.
✓  Seating capacity Most councils require a minimum of 4 passenger seats. MPVs and larger vehicles are welcome.

Accepted vehicle types

Zippe accepts a range of vehicle types, provided they meet council licensing standards:

  • Saloons (e.g. Toyota Prius, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat)

  • Estates

  • MPVs and people carriers (e.g. Ford Galaxy, Volkswagen Sharan)

  • Electric vehicles: welcome and increasingly in demand, particularly in Bath and Bristol

  • Hybrid vehicles