Earn Extra Income: Become a FREENOW Driver in London

Home / Side Hustles / Delivery / Earn Extra Income: How To Become a FREENOW Driver in London

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• FREENOW allows drivers to rate and block disruptive passengers.
• Drivers pay a 15% commission on earnings to FREENOW.
• Earnings range between £7 to £17 per hour for drivers.
  

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast: Earn Extra Income: Become a FREENOW Driver

Looking to boost your income in London? Join FREENOW as a driver and offer ride-hailing services city-wide, while enjoying the power to rate and block disruptive passengers.

FREENOW is one of the most popular ride-hailing apps in the UK, serving millions of passengers, especially in London. With a substantial customer base in the city, it's a prime location for those looking to earn additional income. If you're based in London and exploring new side hustle opportunities, driving with FREENOW offers a viable and rewarding option

Want to know how to become a FREENOW driver in London? Read our guide below to help you get started. We’ll talk about the requirements, sign-up process, and more so you know how to get started. Let’s dive in!

FREENOW is a ride-hailing company that has been around since 2009, though it didn’t start in the UK. The company was first launched in Germany — a product of a joint venture between BMW and Daimler Mobility. Currently, FREENOW is one of the largest mobility service providers in Europe, and it has a considerable presence in the UK.

One of the biggest appeals of FREENOW among drivers, along with the competitive pay, is the driver-centric business model. In fact, the app gives drivers the ability to rate and even block passengers if they are disruptive or dangerous. These benefits have made the company appealing to many.

✅ Read our comprehensive guide on Becoming a Food Delivery in the UK.

One of the biggest differences between FREENOW and other ride-hailing apps, like Uber, is how you get a choice between working as an independent contractor or a regular employee. FREENOW gives you this choice, allowing you to choose which ones best fit your needs.

As an employee, you will enjoy benefits like:

• National Living Wage Guarantee: You will earn a salary that’s equal to or greater than the national minimum wage.
• Pension Scheme: You’ll be able to access FREENOW’s pension scheme and start making contributions for your retirement.
• Holiday Pay Guarantee: As a regular employee, you’ll be entitled to holiday rates when you work during these days.

There is one drawback to being a regular employee: lower pay. Independent contractors, on the other hand, enjoy higher pay but won’t have the same benefits as regular employees. Still, you will have more control and flexibility over your schedule.

When applying, FREENOW will let you select between being a regular employee or an independent, self-employed contractor. If you’re simply looking for a side hustle to complement your day job, the self-employed option may give you more flexibility.

Even when working as an independent contractor, you’ll still enjoy a few benefits that make signing up worth the effort. FREENOW offers the following perks for all drivers.

Regular Bonuses

FREENOW offers bonuses every single week. If you complete certain challenges in the app, such as completing a given number of trips in a day, you earn additional income.

On-Car Advertising

Advertisements on cars are a great way to increase brand impressions. If you choose to have FREENOW ads installed on your car, you can earn extra money — think of it like earning passive income for simply having a sticker on your vehicle.

Loyalty Program

Similar to the daily bonuses, you need to reach certain targets to make the most from the loyalty programs. There are three tiers: bronze, silver, and gold. The more trips you’re able to do in a month, the higher your chances of getting to the next tier. Each one offers bonuses and other perks to increase your take-home pay.

24/7 Support

Once you become a FREENOW driver, you can access the company’s help centre. The team can answer questions and point you to resources that help address your inquiries or concerns. This benefit is part of FREENOW’s driver-centric business model.

Before you start applying, make sure that you have or qualify for the following requirements.

• Aged 18 and above: FREENOW only accepts drivers that are of the legal working age.

• DVLA Driver’s Licence: Another basic requirement is a valid licence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

• UK Bank Account: You’ll need to provide a UK bank account that FREENOW can use to pay you.

• Private Hire Driver’s Licence: You’ll need to be able to operate as a taxi or minicab driver, which is the classification for FREENOW vehicles.

• Vehicle: FREENOW requires you to have a vehicle that follows the requirements set by Transport for London (TfL) and has a private hire vehicle (PHV) licence.
  

Among the requirements above, a private hire driver’s licence is probably the one that takes the most effort to secure. London offers the Public Carriage Office (PCO) licence under the Transport for London (TfL) agency. The PCO licence is the equivalent of a private hire driver’s licence. If you’re located outside of London, your local city council will provide its own variant of the private hire driver’s licence.

To secure your PCO licence in London, you must:

1. Pass a background check to ensure good character
2. Obtain a medical declaration as proof that you’re fit to work as a private hire driver

1. Pass the following exams:

• Topographical skills test: Assessment for knowledge of London’s streets as well as your navigation skills
• English communication: Evaluation of your English speaking and listening skills.
• SERU Test: Exam that focuses on your knowledge of safety, equality, and regulatory laws.

Like other ride-hailing companies, FREENOW has set requirements for the type of vehicles you can drive. Thankfully, the service’s requirements follow the criteria set by the TfL. This means that your vehicle must satisfy requirements like the following:

• MOT certificate issued within the last 14 days
• Vehicle must have 4 doors and 5 seats minimum
• Under 10 years in use
• Vehicle modification documents
• Hire and rewards insurance documents
• V5C DVLA vehicle registration document

You will need to book an appointment with TfL to have your vehicle and documents inspected. Once you pass these requirements, TfL will provide the Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence. This document serves as proof that your vehicle is allowed for use for ride-hailing services.

✅ Check out our comprehensive guide on the key licences for UK Ride Hailing: PCO vs PHV

Once you’ve secured requirements like the PCO and PHV licences, applying on FREENOW is more streamlined. Here’s how to start your registration.

1. Download the FREENOW driver app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Sign up and enter your details. Include your bank details.
3. Upload the required documents, such as the aforementioned licences. The FREENOW team will get back to you within 72 hours to provide an update about your application status.
4. Schedule a meeting for onboarding. After that, you can start working as a FREENOW driver.

FREENOW pays weekly if you’re working as an independent contractor or PHV driver. Your salary is calculated from the base fare plus the distance and time you drove. In certain locations and times, surcharges can also increase your earnings. FREENOW will take a 15% commission from your earnings.

According to Glassdoor, FREENOW drivers operating a PHV usually earn anything between £7 to £17. These values are similar to other ride-hailing services.

Thankfully, you can earn more by working during peak hours and completing the challenges from the FREENOW app. Maintaining a high rating and being friendly and professional to passengers may also help you increase tips.

✅ Check out our in-depth comparison of food delivery driver earnings in the UK across top platforms like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. Find out which app offers the best hourly rates, benefits, and opportunities to maximise your income.

As a self-employed FREENOW PHV driver, the company won’t handle your taxes, so you’ll have to deal with your own tax affairs. Thankfully, you don’t have to register with HMRC until your income exceeds the £1,000 annual trading allowance. After that, you will need to register for self-assessment and start paying your dues. Make sure to keep records of your earnings and expenses to ensure accurate payments.

✅ Read our comprehensive guide on side hustles and your tax obligations.

Working as a FREENOW driver is an ideal side hustle now that London’s cost of living is steadily increasing. Follow the steps we shared above to get started with your application as a PHV driver for a smooth and quick registration process.

Browse our large library of articles for more information about driving for ride-hailing companies and similar side hustles in the UK.

Before you go, remember that exploring side hustles in the ride-hailing industry doesn't end here. If you're keen on diversifying your income sources further or simply curious about what other platforms have to offer, our next guide is something you shouldn't miss. Dive into our comprehensive 2024 guide on "How to Become a Bolt Driver in the UK" to uncover another lucrative opportunity to earn extra money. Whether you're comparing options or ready to expand your side hustle portfolio, this article will provide you with all the necessary details to get started with Bolt. Join us as we continue exploring the most promising ride-hailing opportunities in the UK.

HOW TO BECOME A BOLT DRIVER IN THE UK (2024 GUIDE)

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast

Earn Extra Income: How To Become a FREENOW Driver in London

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.

Today, we're looking at How to Become a FREENOW Driver in the UK. Here's a golden nugget from our network of side hustlers that could redefine your approach: the subtle art of storytelling—and knowing when to use it. Amid the city's hustle, your role isn't just about navigating from point A to B; it's about the experiences you craft. Integrating storytelling into your rides can transform ordinary journeys into memorable escapades. Share tales of London's hidden gems or historical anecdotes, but here's the key: gauge your passenger's mood first. Some might revel in the engagement, while others may prefer a quiet ride to reflect or unwind. Acknowledging and adapting to your customer's preference not only elevates their experience but can lead to glowing reviews and, even better, generous tips. In a city brimming with stories, being the driver who can both narrate and listen, adapting to the passenger's vibe, will truly set you apart in your side hustle journey.

That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!

https://www.free-now.com/

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/freenow-uk-becomes-first-in-europe-to-offer-phv-drivers-a-choice-of-being-workers-or-self-employed#google_vignette

https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/

https://driver.free-now.com/hc/en-gb/articles/9102444484370-How-can-I-register-as-a-FREENOW-driver

https://driver.free-now.com/hc/en-gb/articles/9102605708818-How-much-commission-do-I-pay

https://www.glassdoor.ie/Hourly-Pay/FREE-NOW-Taxi-Driver-Hourly-Pay-E954578_D_KO9,20.htm