Author: Jeremy Simon

Night-time driving is a popular choice among rideshare drivers, with a significant number opting for this time due to less congested roads. Nonetheless, driving during the night presents distinct risks compared to daytime driving. It’s crucial to be aware of these differences in order to drive safely and prevent accidents. Here are essential safety tips to keep in mind when driving for Uber at night:

Elevate your defensive driving awareness

Night-time accidents are statistically three times more probable due to reduced visibility and quicker response demands. Consequently, your driving acumen should be heightened by a factor of three:

• Maintain a secure distance from other vehicles. Trailing closely is ill-advised, especially during the night. Allowing extra space safeguards against abrupt manoeuvres and bolsters visibility.
• Moderate your speed. Occasionally, prescribed speed limits don’t align with safe driving speeds. Prioritize safety over haste by adjusting your speed when necessary.
• Stay vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists. In the nocturnal darkness, spotting them becomes challenging. Ensure you remain attentive to the road, as their visibility is compromised.

Avoid driving when fatigued

In a dynamic role like Uber driving, maintaining peak focus and alertness is paramount:

• Take regular breaks to step out of the car, stretch, and rejuvenate.
• Engage in conversations with passengers or play lively music on the radio.
• Adjust the indoor climate by rolling down the windows.
• Pause for a rest or even enjoy a cup of coffee.

Crucial: Above all, recognize when to conclude your day, return home, and obtain the necessary rest.

While it’s possible to make up for lost hours the next day, remember that no reward justifies the hazards of driving while fatigued.

Utilize your lights accurately

Maintaining road safety during nightt-ime hinges on routinely inspecting all your lights: low beams, high beams, daytime running lights, turn signals, and brake lights. Ensuring these lights function properly isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s vital for your safety, your passengers’, and other road users’.

While maintaining focus on the road is essential, refrain from gazing directly into oncoming headlights to prevent glare. Instead, direct your attention toward the left-hand side of the road and trace the white edge line to monitor your position. Should a light prove excessively dazzling, reduce your speed but avoid abrupt halts.

Be mindful of your passenger selection:

In the world of Uber, ratings flow both ways. When operating during night-time, be attentive to passenger ratings, and exercise caution before accepting a ride:

• Ratings between 1 and 3 might signal potential concerns. Trust your instincts; if anything feels amiss, opt not to accept the ride.
• If you sense insecurity upon reaching the pick-up spot, don’t hesitate to cancel the ride. Even if the passenger’s profile appeared unremarkable, you could encounter individuals who are intoxicated, impolite, or overly intrusive. In such cases, cancel the ride, secure your car doors, and relocate to a safer location.
• Stay alert for passengers with obscured profiles. Unlike Uber drivers, riders can create accounts using pseudonyms, bogus emails, and blank avatars, enabling them to engage in problematic behaviour without easy identification.

If you detect anything suspicious within a passenger’s profile, cancel the ride and await an app-verified rider. By adhering to these precautions, you contribute to a safer experience for both yourself and your passengers.

Establish boundaries and guidelines:

Setting explicit boundaries with your passengers from the moment they enter your vehicle is imperative.  This can involve:

• Requesting that they occupy the back seat and fasten their seatbelt.
• Communicating a strict no-smoking and no-alcohol policy within your car.
• Making it unmistakably clear that any form of abusive conduct is unacceptable during the journey.

Numerous Uber drivers opt to incorporate a dash cam into their vehicles, enabling the real-time recording of both audio and video throughout rides. This dash cam installation can prove beneficial in various ways. It serves as a protective measure against passengers with malicious intent and can furnish evidence in cases of abuse or threatening behaviour.

If possessing a driving license and encountering a medical condition, disability, or a previously declared condition that has worsened since obtaining the license, it is necessary to disclose this information to the DVLA.

CRUCIAL: Drivers failing to reveal a condition that could potentially impair their safe driving abilities to the DVLA expose themselves to fines reaching £1,000, potential license suspension, or legal action in the event of an accident.

Presented here is a comprehensive guide to understanding the process of disclosing medical conditions to the DVLA.

Table of Contents:

• Which medical conditions might disqualify you from driving?
• Which medical conditions declared to DVLA?
• Can I inform DVLA of a medical condition online?
• What medical conditions do I need to tell car Insurace?

Which medical conditions might disqualify you from driving?

If any of the following apply, you must relinquish your license to the DVLA:

• Your doctor advises refraining from driving for a duration exceeding three months.
• A medical condition adversely affecting your driving capability persists for three months or more.
• Your medical condition prevents you from meeting the stipulated driving standards.

Once you fulfill the medical criteria for driving again, you can initiate the process of license reinstatement.

Which Medical Conditions declared to DVLA?

The DVLA has established a list of 118 medical conditions that drivers are required to disclose in order to avoid penalties and fines. Here is the comprehensive list organized in alphabetical order:

• Absence seizures

Any epileptic seizures or blackouts must be declared, leading to an immediate cessation of driving.

• Acoustic neuroma

Disclosure is necessary if sudden, incapacitating dizziness is experienced. Consultation with a doctor is advised for determining whether symptoms affecting driving should be reported.

• Agoraphobia

It’s advisable to consult a doctor to assess if agoraphobia impacts driving.

• Alcohol problems
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Amaurosis fugax

A halt in driving for at least a month after a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke is mandatory, resuming only when deemed safe by a doctor.

• Amputations

Any amputated limb should be declared.

• Angiomas or cavernomas
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Consult a doctor to assess its impact on driving.

• Anxiety

Consult a doctor if anxiety affects driving capabilities.

• Aortic aneurysm

Declaration is necessary if the aortic aneurysm measures 6 cm or more in diameter; driving should cease if it’s 6.5 cm or more.

• Arachnoid cyst
• Arrhythmia

Declare if arrhythmia results in distracting or disabling symptoms, or if control of the car is compromised.

• Arteriovenous malformation
• Arthritis

Special driving controls should be declared.

• Asperger syndrome

Declare if the autistic spectrum condition affects driving safely.

• Ataxia
• ADHD

If ADHD or related medication influences driving, it should be declared.

• AIDS
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• Blackouts

Consult a doctor to evaluate their impact on driving abilities.

• Blood clots

Declaration is required for brain clots, but not for those in the lungs.

• Blood pressure

If blood pressure treatment affects driving, it should be declared.

• Brachial plexus injury
• Brain abscess, cyst, or encephalitis
• Brain aneurysm
• Brain haemorrhage
• Traumatic brain injury
• Brain tumour

It might be recommended by a doctor to surrender the license.

• Broken limbs

If unable to drive for over three months due to a broken limb, it should be declared.

• Brugada syndrome
• Burr hole surgery

If burr hole surgery was performed to remove a brain clot, it should be declared.

• Cancer

It’s not mandatory to inform the DVLA about having cancer, unless you experience issues related to your brain or nervous system. Additionally, if your doctor indicates that you might not be capable of driving, if you’re limited to specific vehicle types, if your vehicles are specially adapted, or if your medication results in side effects impacting your driving, then disclosure becomes necessary.

• Cataracts

Only if both eyes are affected should it be declared.

• Cataplexy
• Central venous thrombosis

If problems persist a month after central venous thrombosis, declaration is required.

• Cerebral palsy
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
• Cognitive problems
• Congenital heart disease
• Fits, seizures, or convulsions
• Déjà vu

Seizures causing déjà vu should be declared.

• Defibrillators

An implanted defibrillator (ICD) should be declared.

• Dementia
• Depression

If depression impacts driving, it should be declared.

• Diabetes

It’s necessary to notify if your insulin treatment spans more than three months, if you had gestational diabetes with insulin treatment persisting beyond three months post-birth, if you experience incapacitating hypoglycemia, or if a medical expert cautions about the risk of developing it.

• Diplopia (double vision)
• Dizziness or vertigo

Sudden, disabling, or recurrent dizziness requires declaration.

• Drug use

Illegal drugs or prescription drug misuse should be declared.

• Eating disorder

If it affects driving, it should be declared.

• Empyema (brain)
• Essential tremor

If essential tremor affects driving, it should be declared.

• Eye conditions

If both eyes are affected, it should be declared.

• Guillain Barré syndrome
• Serious head injuries
• Heart attacks

Not necessary to declare if heart attack occurred, unless certain conditions apply.

• Heart failure

If symptoms impact driving, it should be declared.

• Heart palpitations
• Hemianopia
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Certain conditions necessitate declaration.

• Huntington’s disease
• Hydrocephalus

Declaration required if symptoms are present.

• Hypoglycaemia
• Hypoxic brain damage
• Intracerebral haemorrhage

If problems persist a month after this type of haemorrhage, it should be declared.

• Korsakoff’s syndrome
• Labyrinthitis

If symptoms last for three months or more, it should be declared.

• Learning disabilities

Only learning disabilities, not difficulties like dyslexia, need to be declared.

• Lewy body dementia
• Limb disability
• Long QT syndrome
• Lung cancer

Notification is required if any of the subsequent circumstances arise: issues emerge related to your brain or nervous system, your doctor suggests you might not meet driving fitness standards, limitations pertain to particular vehicle types or adaptations, or your medication induces side effects impacting your driving ability.

• Lymphoma

Declaration is essential if any of these circumstances materialize: complications emerge concerning your brain or nervous system, your doctor expresses reservations about your driving suitability, driving is confined to specifically adapted or distinct vehicle types, or medication induces side effects potentially jeopardizing your driving safety.

• Marfan’s syndrome
• Medulloblastoma
• Meningioma

If it affects driving, it should be declared.

• Motor neurone disease
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Myoclonus
• Narcolepsy
• Night blindness
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

If it affects driving, it should be declared.

• Excessive sleepiness

You must declare it if you have confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, with excessive sleepiness, either narcolepsy or cataplexy, or both, or any other sleep condition that has caused excessive sleepiness for at least three months (including suspected or confirmed mild OSAS).

You must not drive until you’re free from excessive sleepiness or your symptoms are controlled, and you’re strictly following any necessary treatment.

• Optic atrophy
• Pacemakers

Fitted pacemakers should be declared.

• Paranoid schizophrenia
• Paraplegia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Personality disorder

If it affects driving, it should be declared.

• Pituitary tumour
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Consult a doctor about its effect on driving.

• Psychosis
• Psychotic depression
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Declare if receiving treatment from an NHS specialist centre.

• Severe memory problems
• Stroke

Declaration necessary if problems persist a month after the stroke.

• Surgery

If an operation prevents driving three months later, it should be declared.

• Syncope

If blackouts, fainting, or loss of consciousness are experienced, it should be declared.

• Sleep apnoea

Certain sleep disorders, including confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, should be declared. Medication causing excessive sleepiness for three months should also be reported.

• Schizo-affective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Scotoma
• Severe communication disorders

If it affects driving, it should be declared.

• Spinal conditions, injuries, or spinal surgery
• Subarachnoid haemorrhage
• Tachycardia
• Tourette’s syndrome

If it affects driving, it should be declared.

• Tunnel vision
• Usher syndrome
• Reduced visual activity
• Vertigo

Sudden, disabling, or recurrent dizziness should be declared.

• Visual field defect
• VP shunts

Fitted VP shunts should be declared.

• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Can I inform DVLA of a medical condition online?

If you have a driving licence you can use DVLA’s online service to check if your condition needs to be reported. After that, you’ll be told how to report your condition. Depending on the condition you have, you will either fill out a form online or printing and send it.

Afterwards, you might be subject to a new driving licence, a limited-time one, or you might need to fit your car with special control to accommodate your condition, depending on the seriousness of your medical condition.

What medical conditions do I need to tell car insurance?

Depending on the insurer, you may or may not need to tell your insurance provider about your medical condition. Make sure to check this before taking out a policy.

Before enrolling to become a driver for Uber or any other rideshare platform, it’s crucial to possess the appropriate licensing documentation. This entails fulfilling the PCO license prerequisites as a driver and also adhering to the PHV license prerequisites for your vehicle.

As a part of the vehicle licensing process, it’s essential to ensure that your vehicle aligns with the standards set by TfL. Given that TfL is the governing body responsible for granting the PHV license required to operate your vehicle with Uber, it’s imperative to comply with both TfL stipulations and Uber’s vehicle criteria.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that not all vehicle models are endorsed by Uber. Depending on your specific location and the range of Uber services accessible, Uber maintains an extensive catalog of cars that have been approved by the platform.

Browse through the list of eligible vehicles for Uber services in London.

Pro Tip: To circumvent the complexities of dealing with car documentation, consider opting for our PCO car hire plan, which provides a hassle-free solution along with ready-to-use electric vehicles (EVs).

Table of Contents:

• What Constitutes a PCO Vehicle Inspection?
• What Are the Vehicle Requirements Outlined by TfL for PCO?
• How Can I Register for a PCO Vehicle Inspection?
• Which Documents Are Essential for the PCO Vehicle Inspection?
• How Frequently Is the PCO Vehicle Inspection Mandatory?
• What Are the Consequences of Failing the PCO Vehicle Inspection?

What Constitutes a PCO Vehicle Inspection?

The PCO vehicle inspection stands as an obligatory step to acquire your PCO vehicle license. It necessitates your car’s successful completion of a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) to guarantee its adherence to all safety prerequisites pertinent to on-demand transportation.

Moreover, if you’re employing your vehicle for passenger transport, it’s essential to renew your license annually. The cost for the TfL Private Hire car inspection is approximately £140.

What Are the Vehicle Requirements Outlined by TfL for PCO?

Starting from 1 January 2023, newly licensed Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) are subject to updated emission criteria:

• The vehicle’s age must not exceed ten years, or it should be a more recent model.
• All PHVs must possess zero-emission capability (ZEC) and adhere to the Euro 6 emissions standard upon initial licensing.

PHVs that are entirely electric or incorporate a hydrogen fuel cell are in line with the new licensing prerequisites.

How Can I Register for a PCO Vehicle Inspection?

The most convenient and expeditious approach is to schedule an inspection online via the TfL (Transport for London) website. This enables you to select a suitable date, time, and location, with the flexibility to modify or cancel your appointment if required. Alternatively, you can secure an inspection by dialing 0343 222 5555.

Book an Inspection for Your Vehicle via TfL

DID YOU KNOW? If you’re a Splend customer, we handle all the details, including the Private Hire Vehicle license inspection every six months, right at our London Hub.

Inspection Centers in London:

• Central West Site
• Address: Unit 2 Aquarius Business Park, Staples corner, Priestly Way, NW2 7AN

• South East Site
• Address: Unit 13 & 14, Klinger Industrial Park, Edgington Way, Sidcup, DA14 5AF

• North Site
• Address: Unit 2, Watermill Business Centre, Edison Road, Enfield, London, EN3 7XF

• West Site
• Address: 20A Airlinks Industrial Estate, Spitfire Way, Heston, TW5 9NR

• Central East Site
• Address: Unit 10 Segro Park, Rainham, RM13 8HY

For appointments outside London, your vehicle must undergo inspection and licensing by the local council.

Locate and Get in Touch with Your Local Council

IMPORTANT: Unless the car is registered under your name, you’ll need to receive nomination from the registered keeper to act on their behalf during the application process and when presenting the vehicle for inspection

Which Documents Are Essential for the PCO Vehicle Inspection?

When attending your scheduled inspection, ensure you have the following documents readily available and up-to-date:

• Existing PHV License and Discs (for renewal cases)
• V5c DVLA Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Hire and Reward Insurance Documents (Refer to PHV insurance and Amazon Flex insurance for comprehensive information)
• MOT Certificate Issued within the Last 14 Days
• Any Pertinent Vehicle Modification Documents (if applicable)
• Voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval – VIVA (for personal imports and left-hand drive vehicles)
• Certificate of Conformity (if required)

DID YOU KNOW? Every Splend vehicle holds a valid PHV license, so once your individual documents are in order, you can begin driving right away, while we take care of any associated paperwork.

How Frequently Is the PCO Vehicle Inspection Mandatory?

The PCO vehicle inspection is a requisite step for renewing your PHV license. As a result, you are required to have your car inspected each time you renew your license. In cases where you are operating outside of London, the frequency of inspections is determined by the local council. However, these councils are limited to conducting a maximum of three inspections per year.

What Are the Consequences of Failing the PCO Vehicle Inspection?

Ideally, aiming for a successful outcome on the first attempt is advisable to avoid incurring additional costs for a re-inspection. Preparation is key on inspection day. Ensure your vehicle fully aligns with all TfL stipulations, possess the requisite documentation, and maintains proper upkeep and servicing (absence of dents, scratches, or paint damage).

Yet, in the event that the initial inspection is unsuccessful, you have the option to schedule a re-test. This can be done as soon as 21 days from the original inspection date or at a later point, depending on the extent of repairs required.

Air pollution adversely affects numerous London residents annually, and vehicle tailpipe emissions stand as a major contributor to this concerning air quality. While authorities have made substantial efforts to mitigate emissions and enhance air quality, additional measures are being introduced due to the persistence of air pollution.

In a bid to purify London’s air, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is set to extend its reach across all London boroughs starting August 29, 2023.

Contents:

• The Scope of the Extended ULEZ Area
• ULEZ Expansion Map
• Notable Changes in the ULEZ Charge
• Who is Obligated to Pay the ULEZ Fee?
• What are the ULEZ emission benchmarks?
• What’s the course of action if your car loses ULEZ compliance?

The Scope of the Extended ULEZ Area

At present, the ULEZ encompasses regions within the perimeters of the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205).

Commencing from August 29, 2023, the ULEZ scope will encompass all 33 boroughs of Greater London, with certain areas extending to the borders of the M25.

ULEZ Expansion Map

Notable Changes in the ULEZ Charge

The penalty charge for non-payment of the ULEZ charge will increase from £160 to £180 (£90 if settled within 14 days).

The daily £12.50 charge required and the emission standards for exemption from ULEZ charge payment remain unaltered.

Who is Obligated to Pay the ULEZ Fee?

Any individual operating a vehicle not conforming to the ULEZ emission standards within the extended regions, commencing August 29, 2023, must remit the daily £12.50 ULEZ charge. This includes ULEZ residents.

Payment isn’t requisite if your car remains parked within the ULEZ boundaries and isn’t driven.

The ULEZ charge applies ceaselessly, 24/7, throughout the year, except on Christmas Day (December 25th).

What are the ULEZ emission benchmarks?

For exemption from ULEZ charges, your car must adhere to the following emission standards:

• Petrol cars (including hybrids) – Euro 4 or higher
• Diesel cars (including diesel-hybrids) – Euro 6 or higher

A general guideline is that if your petrol car was manufactured post-January 2006, it’s likely ULEZ-compliant. Similarly, if your diesel car was produced post-September 2016, it probably adheres to ULEZ standards.

HINT: Plug-in hybrids and fully-electric cars meet ULEZ emission criteria and are exempt from ULEZ charges.

See if your car is ULEZ-compliant

What’s the course of action if your car loses ULEZ compliance?

As an Uber driver, consistently paying £87.50 weekly without compensation can strain your finances when driving a non-compliant vehicle.

The positive news is that the transition to an electric vehicle, entirely absolved from ULEZ and Congestion Charge expenses, is now more economically viable than ever.