Uber rides to new UK cities, check if it’s near you

Uber is expanding rapidly across the UK. Buoyed by a series of licensing approvals, the company has broken new ground and led thousands to sign up to become an Uber driver.

Southend-on-Sea has become the latest city to consider approval of Uber, with a decision expected to be made this month. Other cities, including Oxford, Aberdeen, and York, have also allowed Uber to operate within the last year.

The company also launched its new ride-share service — UberX Share — to major cities in May 2025 (except London). 

Below, we list every location where the transport company is fully operational, as well as the regions where you can expect it soon.

Is Uber available in my city?

In most major towns and cities, you’ll be able to book a cab through the Uber app. However, you will often be connected with local private hire and taxi firms, not Uber drivers, as the app does not have a full licence to employ its own workers in many UK locations.

But which areas have given the app a parking space? Here are the 26 UK cities where Uber is licensed to operate:

England

• Birmingham
• Brighton and Sussex
• Bristol
• Cambridge
• Hull
• Ipswich
• Leeds
• Leicester
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Northampton
• Nottingham
• Oxford
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield
• Southampton
• Stoke-on-Trent
• York

Scotland

• Aberdeen
• Dundee
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

Wales

• Cardiff
• Swansea

Northern Ireland

• Belfast

When will Uber come to my area?

Since the first Uber ride appeared on London streets in 2012, the app’s expansion has been a bumpy ride. This is because the platform’s convenient ease-of-use has seen it overtake traditional taxi drivers in terms of service user popularity, threatening a market monopoly.

In May 2024, London cabbies sued Uber over the company’s licence in the capital, and some cities have previously refused to grant Uber a full application, including York (which then approved Uber’s licence in June 2024).

Regional councils are cautious about reviewing Uber applications before granting permission for the app to operate in their area. Here are the areas where Uber has arrived, or will be expected to arrive.

• Southend-on-Sea

In September 2025, Uber confirmed that it was looking to operate in Southend-on-Sea again by formally applying through the local council. While it previously operated in the city, the company faced regulatory issues and competition with local taxi firms. Southend-on-Sea council will determine the outcome of Uber’s application this month.

• Kent

Uber was granted a one-year licence to operate in Tunbridge Wells by the local council in July 2025. The company will also offer its services in the surrounding towns of Paddock Wood and Southborough. However, local taxi drivers told The BBC that they’ve felt “betrayed” after this announcement, with one owner saying that smaller firms would struggle to compete with the “goliath” that is Uber.

• Thanet

Uber was officially launched in the Thanet District in Kent — where the seaside town of Margate is located — in November 2024. However, local cabbies told Kent Online that most of their customers, most of whom are retirement age, do not like to use apps and so would struggle to book a ride with Uber.

• Blackburn & Darwen

Around the same time, Uber was also granted a five-year operating licence in Blackburn and Darwen. Local taxi drivers expressed concerns over increased competition, which could result in smaller taxi firms closing. One cabbie also claimed that customers could be charged more for short journeys or face issues when riding with guide dogs.

• Darlington

In August 2024, Darlington Borough Council granted Uber a license to operate in the town. At the time, Darlington’s Labour MP, Sonia Kane, stated that the council were “happy to grant the licence”, as long as all Uber drivers carried out a certain level of training.

Where can I work as an Uber driver?

There are many advantages to Uber’s UK expansion. More Brits will be able to book an Uber in their area, while entrepreneurial licence holders will be able to sign up as a driver.

As of April 2024, there were 313,008 licensed taxis and PHVs in England — a 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. This shows that becoming an Uber driver is a popular side hustle for many, with flexible hours and quick onboarding making it an attractive option in a tougher economy.

Even if Uber isn’t available in your area, you can still apply to drive for the app in the nearest city to you in the list above. 

You’ll just need to obtain a Private Hire Driver Licence and Private Hire Vehicle Licence from the city you plan to move to. And once you have obtained the correct documents, you may also need to book an onboarding appointment to update your account details.

Uber has faced controversy in the past for arguing that drivers are self-employed and therefore not entitled to key employment protections.

However, a landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court found that the app must now treat all drivers as workers, meaning they now earn the National Living Wage and holiday allowance.

Still waiting for your ride? We’ll keep this page updated with all new licensing applications from Uber, so you’ll know instantly if the app is coming to your area.