If you are a PCO driver, your car is your source of income. That’s why you should make sure that it has all the features you need for a stress-free driving experience. It doesn’t matter if you drive your own vehicle or use PCO car hire, there are certain things you cannot ignore if you want to stay ahead and earn without interruptions.
In this article, we will mention all the essential requirements your car should meet to help maximise your income. Let’s dive in!
TfL Compliance
The first thing to look for when hiring a car is not its shape or colour. It’s TfL compliance.
You can’t just pick up any car and start carrying passengers. There are certain standards required for a car to be considered suitable for private hire use. If you are caught driving a car that doesn’t meet those standards, you could face severe penalties and may even lose your licence.
For instance, cars that are older than 10 years aren’t allowed for private hire use. In addition, your car should pass regular MOT tests (every six months) and detailed inspections. If your car doesn’t have a valid MOT certificate or fails an inspection, you can’t drive and earn.
Lastly, TfL keeps a list of approved vehicles. Driving a car that’s not on that list could lead to serious consequences.
Low Emissions and Fuel Efficiency
The emission requirements are becoming tighter, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is getting wider every year. Driving a car that doesn’t comply with TfL’s emission standards could lead to serious penalties and fines.
For instance, a petrol car should meet Euro 4 emission standards, and a diesel car should meet Euro 6 standards. The majority of hybrids and PHEVs already meet these standards but you should still confirm with your car provider whether your vehicle complies with TfL’s emission standards or not.
The best way to avoid this issue is to drive a fully electric vehicle, as EVs are fully compliant with TfL’s emission standards. Although EVs have higher weekly rental costs, they help you save hundreds of pounds monthly in ULEZ, congestion, and fuel costs, which actually makes them an affordable option in the long run.
Comfortable Interior for Passengers
Passengers don’t care about how much you pay for your car. They care about their personal comfort.
Imagine driving a car with stiff seats, poor air conditioning, and cramped legroom on long rides. Not only will your passengers dislike the experience, but your ratings may drop as well.
So, how do you ensure passenger comfort?
Get a car with comfortable seats, ample legroom, headroom, and boot space, good climate control, and USB charging ports because everyone has phones nowadays.
All these features can turn average rides into pleasant ones, resulting in happier passengers, higher ratings, and possibly more tips.
Driver Comfort
Passenger comfort is not the only thing that matters. Driver comfort is important as well because you will be spending 8-10 hours in your car almost every day. Not prioritising your personal comfort could lead to several health issues, such as backache and fatigue.
So, when hiring a car, start with the driver’s seat. It should adjust in every direction: up, down, forward, back, and tilt. This helps you find the perfect position where your spine is naturally aligned. Similarly, the steering wheel’s reach should be adjustable as well. If you are leaning forward because it’s too far away, or cramped because it’s too close, it will strain your back.
In addition, the car’s dashboard should have a large, clear dial and screens so you can read at a glance. Taking your eyes off the road for too long because you are trying to figure out what the screen is showing not only strains your eyes but also increases the risk of accidents.
Advanced Safety Features
Many PCO drivers believe they can do without modern safety features. However, this can be a costly mistake because when you drive for 8-10 hours daily, dealing with cyclists weaving between lanes, pedestrians, and reckless drivers, even a small moment of negligence could lead to costly accidents, particularly if your insurance doesn’t cover car auto body repair.
That’s where advanced safety features can be useful! They’re like having a second pair of eyes when you are not paying attention. For instance, Automatic Emergency Braking stops your car faster than you could do it manually when the vehicle in front slams on the brakes. Similarly, Lane Keeping Assist keeps you from drifting, while Blind-Spot Monitoring alerts you of cars in your blind-spot while changing lanes.
Some other useful safety features include Rear-view cameras or 360° cameras and parking sensors to park safely.
Affordable Weekly Hire Cost
The money you save is more important than the money you make. If your weekly PCO hire fee is bleeding you dry, then you are working your tail off for nothing. So, make sure your weekly hire costs are affordable and no sneaky extras are included in your package.
Here’s what you should do before signing the contract:
Ask the car provider to show you exactly what’s included in the weekly rate. If there are any extras that you weren’t aware of, get them removed. Ask as many questions as you want and clear up any doubts. Do not feel pressured to sign the contract. Only agree with the terms when you are 100% sure that they align with your interests.
Some drivers pick the cheapest weekly rates but forget to check whether PCO car insurance, maintenance, and servicing are included or not. Choose a package that includes these services because it saves you from many unexpected expenses and can be cheaper in the long run.
Final Words
Hiring a PCO car with the right features not only improves your driving experience but your income as well. Whether you are a new PCO driver seeking a low-risk option to get started or an experienced driver aiming to deliver a high-quality passenger experience, hiring a car that meets the above-mentioned requirements is the way to go.
