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.

DRIVER ONBOARDING · SOUTH WEST

Drive with
confidence.

Drive with
Zippe.

Everything you need to go from “could I drive?” to “I know exactly what to do next.” A clear route into private hire driving.

See what you need ↘ How it works →

06 key checks to get clear on

04 steps from ready to road

SW Bristol, Bath & B&NES

✨ THE CLEAR ROUTE IN

Your next step
should never feel
like a guess.

      
        START HERE
      
        A practical checklist, not a maze.
      
        01
        Licence
      
        02
        Vehicle
      
        03
        Checks
      
        04
        Documents

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Six things to have in place.

Private hire driving is built on trust. These are the essentials that help keep every journey safe, accountable and ready to start well.

See the cost and timing guide ↘

01

Full UK driving licence

A valid full UK driving licence is the first thing you need to start your application.

02

Licensed vehicle

Your vehicle must meet the private hire requirements for the area where you plan to drive.

03

Private hire licence

You need a private hire driver licence from your local council before carrying passengers.

04

Private hire insurance

Specific hire-and-reward insurance keeps you and your passengers properly covered.

05

Enhanced DBS check

An enhanced DBS check is part of the safety and safeguarding process for private hire drivers.

06

Document verification

We check your documents carefully, so there are no surprises when you are ready to drive.

THE BIT THAT MATTERS

A private hire licence is your permission to carry passengers.

It comes from your local council and is separate from your standard driving licence. You will need the relevant private hire driver licence before you carry passengers for a fare.

✓ Issued by the authority for your area

✓ Separate from your full UK driving licence

Read the licence FAQs →

YOUR ROUTE IN

Four steps. One clear direction.

Take it one document, one check and one decision at a time. We will help you see what comes next.

01

Gather Your Documents

Get your driving licence, vehicle details, insurance and other documents together.

02

→

Apply Online or In-App

Start your application with the information you already have, without second-guessing the order.

03

Verification Process

Your documents, checks and vehicle details are reviewed before you are approved to drive.

04

Hit the Road

Once your requirements are complete, you are ready to take your next step with Zippe.

01 · VEHICLE

Your car needs to be ready for private hire.

It must meet the private hire requirements for your licensing area and pass the relevant checks. The exact rules can vary, so check with your local authority before you commit to a vehicle.

✓ Licensed vehicle

•

✓ Area requirements

02 · COVER

Private hire insurance, not just any policy.

You need insurance that covers you for hire and reward. Ask your insurer for the right cover before you start driving passengers.

✓ Hire and reward

•

✓ Passenger cover

BUDGET + TIMING

Know the shape of the commitment.

The total varies from driver to driver. Use this as a guide, then confirm current licensing fees and insurance costs for your area.

TOTAL ESTIMATE

£1,940–£4,560

A guide to the cost of becoming a private hire driver.

Vehicle

The largest variable in your starting budget.

Licence + checks

Council licensing, DBS and document costs.

Insurance

Private hire cover for driving passengers.

A GUIDE TO THE TIMING

Day 1–3 Gather documents

Day 4–10 Submit applications

Day 11–30 Checks + vehicle

Final step Ready to drive

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Take the next step in the Zippe Driver app.

Keep your application moving from your phone. Start with the documents you have, see what is next, and get ready for the road.

Download Zippe Driver →

A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN

You do not need every answer before you start.

Start by gathering your full UK driving licence and vehicle details. The rest of the route becomes much easier to see once those first pieces are in place.

Full UK driving licence

Vehicle details

Private hire insurance

Your local licensing area

Review the requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the product, billing, and support.

Your subscription includes full access to all core platform features, continuous background updates, unlimited cloud sync across devices, and 24/7 dedicated customer assistance whenever you need help.

Yes, absolutely! You can modify or cancel your subscription plan at any time with a single click right from your account dashboard. There are no penalty fees or hidden lock-in contracts.

We take security very seriously. All data is fully encrypted at rest and in transit using industry-standard protocols. Payment details are handled securely through PCI-compliant gateways and are never stored on our local servers.

Our support agents are available around the clock. You can reach out via the live chat widget located on the website or drop us an email anytime at support@example.com for prompt assistance.

Drive with
confidence.

Drive with
Zippe.

Your next step
should never feel
like a guess.

A practical checklist, not a maze.

Six things to have in place.

Full UK driving licence

Licensed vehicle

Private hire licence

Private hire insurance

Enhanced DBS check

Document verification

A private hire licence is your permission to carry passengers.

Four steps. One clear direction.

Gather Your Documents

Apply Online or In-App

Verification Process

Hit the Road

Your car needs to be ready for private hire.

Private hire insurance, not just any policy.

Know the shape of the commitment.

Vehicle

Licence + checks

Insurance

Take the next step in the Zippe Driver app.

You do not need every answer before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Good journeys go further.

EXPLORE

JOIN ZIPPE

SUPPORT

Drive withconfidence.

Drive withZippe.

Your next stepshould never feellike a guess.

A practical checklist, not a maze.

Six things to have in place.

Full UK driving licence

Licensed vehicle

Private hire licence

Private hire insurance

Enhanced DBS check

Document verification

A private hire licence is your permission to carry passengers.

Four steps. One clear direction.

Gather Your Documents

Apply Online or In-App

Verification Process

Hit the Road

Your car needs to be ready for private hire.

Private hire insurance, not just any policy.

Know the shape of the commitment.

Vehicle

Licence + checks

Insurance

Take the next step in the Zippe Driver app.

You do not need every answer before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Good journeys go further.

EXPLORE

JOIN ZIPPE

SUPPORT

Drive with
confidence.

Drive with
Zippe.

Your next step
should never feel
like a guess.