PCO Car Hire
Otto Car’s PCO Car Hire product is designed for private hire drivers looking for a flexible and affordable vehicle solution without long-term commitment. This short-term rental program is only available for drivers in Greater London with a valid PCO licence. It includes everything a driver needs to get started quickly and legally on the road, from weekly rental payments to optional insurance and maintenance services.
Drivers benefit from a fully managed service, including comprehensive fleet support, MOT, PHV licence, road tax, and 24/7 roadside assistance. A key feature of the plan is the Driver Development Programme, which helps drivers improve their skills and maintain high standards. With a minimum rental period of four weeks, drivers can cancel their contract after 56 days with just 7 days’ notice.
There’s a weekly mileage cap of 1,000 miles (or 48,000 yearly), and drivers must maintain sufficient funds for their weekly payments. Services should be booked as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, and any accidents must be reported within 12 hours to avoid penalties. There’s no credit check, and vehicles are eligible for the Uber Clean Air Plan. Tyres and brakes are included, though punctures and accidental damage are the driver’s responsibility.
Rent to Buy
Rent to Buy is Otto Car’s flagship ownership plan, designed to help private hire drivers gradually become car owners through affordable weekly payments. The program combines the flexibility of rental with the long-term benefit of ownership, making it a popular option for drivers across Greater London, the surrounding counties, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and across the UK.
This all-in-one package includes insurance, road tax, MOT, PHV licence, servicing, and breakdown cover, so drivers can avoid the usual financial headaches. There is an option not to include insurance in the Rent to Buy package, however this means drivers will also not have MOT’s, PHV licensing or breakdown cover for the first year only (Manchester-based drivers will have breakdown cover throughout the contract). There's also no credit check, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants. Drivers are allowed up to eight weeks of payment breaks per year, giving them added flexibility. Mileage is capped at 1,000 miles per week or 48,000 annually.
The Rent to Buy plan is also compatible with Uber’s EV Assistance scheme, enabling eligible drivers to apply up to £3,500 of Uber Clean Air funds to reduce weekly payments. Plans can be cancelled any time after two months with four weeks' notice. All cars come fitted with high-quality dashcams for added security, and part-exchange is available to lower upfront costs. The Rent to Buy scheme used to be split into variants like Rent 2 Buy+ and Rent 2 Buy Burst, but Otto Car has now streamlined everything into one flexible offering to simplify the path to car ownership.
Otto Prime Finance
Otto Prime Finance is a premium ownership plan built for experienced private hire drivers with strong credit profiles. Positioned as Otto Car’s most affordable path to ownership, it offers up to 25% lower weekly payments compared to traditional Rent to Buy plans, making it ideal for drivers with stable incomes and a good credit history.
This product is designed specifically for ‘prime’ and ‘near-prime’ customers—drivers with good to excellent credit scores—unlike Otto Rent to Buy, which primarily supports sub-prime applicants. Creditworthiness is assessed through affordability and credit checks to ensure suitability for long-term finance.
Key features include:
A 2-year minimum term (shortenable by 1 year with a balloon payment)
Flexible deposit options, allowing customers to increase or reduce upfront costs based on preference
A simplified service bundle: only insurance, road tax, and an HD dashcam are included
Uber EV Assistance (up to £3,000) can be applied in full to the deposit upfront, reducing initial out-of-pocket expenses (available to eligible London-based drivers)
Annual mileage allowance of 48,000 miles, with an excess charge of 20p per mile
While Otto Prime Finance does not include MOT, servicing, or replacement vehicles as standard, its lower weekly cost and ownership-focused structure make it a compelling alternative to traditional lease or rental plans. All vehicles are Uber-ready and compliant with private hire licensing regulations.
The plan is open to drivers nationwide across England and Wales and is compatible with all major ride-hailing platforms - including Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, Addison Lee, and local operators.
Eligibility criteria include:
Aged 25–65
Maximum 6 penalty points and 2 fault accidents in the last 3 years
Minimum 6 months of PHV experience
At least 1,000 completed trips (for Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow)
PHV star rating of 4.8 or higher (where applicable)
Successful credit and affordability checks
Otto Prime Finance is perfect for those who want full ownership, lower costs, and the flexibility to customise their finance plan while enjoying peace of mind through Otto Car’s bundled services.
Uber Clean Air EV Assistance
The Uber Clean Air EV Assistance initiative was designed to help London-based Uber drivers make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Until March 2022, drivers could build their EV Assistance balance by completing Uber trips in London. Although the balance can no longer be topped up, drivers who accumulated funds can now use it to save significantly when acquiring an EV through Otto Car.
Eligible drivers can apply up to £3,000 of EV Assistance towards Rent to Buy plans or use £300 towards a 4-week PCO Car Hire contract, equivalent to a £75/week discount. The funds cannot be used for down payments and are valid for a single use only. This offer must be claimed before 30 September 2025, after which any unused balance will be forfeited.
This initiative supports Uber’s commitment to transitioning to a fully electric fleet in London by 2025. Additional benefits for EV drivers include access to Uber Green, £750 in charging credits via bp pulse (for the first 8,000 participants), Uber Pro bonus points, and Central London Congestion Charge fee exemptions. Otto Car provides an eligibility checker and savings calculator on its website to help drivers estimate their benefits based on their Uber EV Assistance balance and vehicle selection.
Accelerate Scheme
The Accelerate Scheme is a tailored plan for new Uber Partners who are just starting their private hire career. Designed for those with fewer than 100 completed trips, this initiative provides a low-cost, all-inclusive entry into the industry using electric vehicles. It’s ideal for new drivers looking to gain experience with the option to transition to car ownership.
The scheme begins with a fixed 12-week PCO Car Hire contract, during which drivers benefit from significantly discounted weekly rental rates on select EVs—such as the Skoda Enyaq iV 60, Kia Niro EV2, and VW ID.3. These vehicles come fully licensed and ready to drive with comprehensive coverage, including insurance, road tax, PHV licence, MOT, breakdown cover, and an HD dashcam.
At the end of the 12-week period, drivers can choose from four clear pathways:
Upgrade to Rent to Buy in the same vehicle with no further deposit
Upgrade to Rent to Buy in a new vehicle (deposit required)
Return the vehicle and receive their deposit back (T&Cs apply)
Continue with standard PCO Car Hire at regular pricing
The scheme requires no credit checks and has been designed to ease financial pressure for new entrants. Additionally, drivers can add their Uber EV Assistance after completing 150 trips, further reducing their weekly cost. Otto Car’s experienced support team provides ongoing assistance and will reach out near the end of the fixed term to guide drivers through their next steps.
Part-Exchange
Otto Car’s Part-Exchange scheme allows eligible drivers to trade in their existing vehicles and receive instant cash as well as a £250 voucher toward a new Rent to Buy vehicle. This offer is ideal for drivers who own a roadworthy car and want to transition into a new, Uber-ready vehicle without the hassle of a private sale.
The process is simple: if your vehicle meets Otto Car’s quality standards and passes a basic inspection, you’ll receive a fair market valuation and same-day payment. The vehicle must be registered in your name and be in roadworthy condition. Once approved, Otto Car will apply a £250 discount towards your Rent to Buy down payment - helping reduce your upfront cost.
All paperwork and vehicle processing are handled by Otto Car, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition. The part-exchange credit is only redeemable for Rent to Buy orders and must be used at the time of the new vehicle purchase at one of Otto Car’s hubs.
To qualify for the Rent to Buy scheme, drivers must be at least 25 years old, have a minimum of three months’ recent PCO driving experience, and live in Greater London or surrounding counties. Supporting documents such as a driving licence, proof of address, PCO licence, and national insurance number are required during the vehicle handover process.
This initiative helps streamline the transition into a newer, fully licensed PCO vehicle and offers drivers financial relief while remaining in full control of their upgrade process.
Dashcam Scheme
The Otto Car Dashcam Scheme provides private hire drivers in Greater London with access to a high-quality, TfL-approved dual-facing dashcam system. Designed to enhance driver safety and protect against disputes, the dashcam records footage from both inside and outside the vehicle during active use.
The cost of the scheme is affordable and spread over several months: a £9 booking fee upfront, £40 for professional installation on the day, followed by 7 monthly payments of £25—totalling £224. After the final payment, the driver owns the device outright. The system includes a one-year cloud subscription (valued at £49/year) that stores footage for up to 7 days and provides access to Otto Car’s support service for downloading clips.
The camera setup includes wide-angle 160º lenses, HD recording (front 1080p, cabin 720p), a panic button for emergency clip uploads, and local SD card backup. The system is wired via the fuse box and doesn’t interfere with vehicle electronics.
Drivers do not need to rent a car from Otto Car to be eligible for the scheme. Appointments last between 30–60 minutes and require basic documents, including proof of vehicle ownership or written permission, PCO licence and badge, proof of address, insurance certificate, and bank details.
For ongoing monitoring, Otto Car checks the health of installed dashcams and alerts drivers to any issues. An ICO licence is required after ownership, which drivers can apply for directly via the Information Commissioner's Office website.
AfterCare
Otto Car’s AfterCare scheme supports drivers who have completed their Rent to Buy contract and now own their vehicle but still want access to our affordable support services. AfterCare extends many of the benefits that drivers enjoyed during their contract - at a competitive weekly rate - helping them stay road-ready without hassle.
There are two package options:
Basic Package (from £62.75/week):
Includes fleet insurance and road tax. Ideal for confident drivers who want coverage for the essentials.Full Package (from £82.75/week, hybrid & electric only):
Includes fleet insurance, road tax, 2x MOTs per year, 1x PHV licence renewal annually, and breakdown cover. Designed for drivers who prefer a more hands-off approach to vehicle maintenance.
Drivers who had accidents while on Rent to Buy may see adjusted pricing. AfterCare allows continued access to Otto Car’s support network, enabling customers to benefit from fleet-rate insurance, licensing assistance, and maintenance coordination.
This plan helps Otto Car retain customers within its ecosystem post-ownership, fostering long-term relationships while providing practical support. Drivers can choose the package that best suits their needs and budget, ensuring continued peace of mind and operational compliance on the road. Eligibility to our AfterCare scheme is not guaranteed and is subject to an accident and payment history review. We reserve the right to refuse this service.