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

The ride-sharing app is rapidly expanding across the UK. We record every city where you can use Uber - and which areas can expect it soon.

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

In June, Aberdeen City Council and Dundee council both voted to approve a new proposal to allow Uber to operate in its city walls. Darlington council will convene for a similar vote later in the year. Despite this, the tech titan is missing some big UK cities from its roadmap. 

Below, we list every city 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.

Indeed, Uber has said hundreds of thousands of people open the app each month in places where they cannot actually request a ride such as Oxford, Doncaster, and Swansea. 

So which areas have given the app a parking space? Here are the 21 UK cities where Uber is licensed to operate:

England

  • Birmingham
  • Brighton and Sussex
  • Cambridge
  • Hull
  • Ipswich
  • Leeds
  • Leicester
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester
  • Newcastle
  • Northampton
  • Nottingham
  • Portsmouth
  • Sheffield
  • Stoke

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.

London cabbies are suing over the company’s licence in the capital, and some cities have previously refused to grant Uber a full application, including York.

Regional city councils are cautious to review Uber applications before granting permission for the app to operate in their area. Here are three locations with pending Uber applications:

  • Blackpool

Blackpool South MP, Chris Webb said that Uber had agreed to “open up conversation” with Blackpool Council about applying for an operating license. The application will mean the council can take a harder line on whether to allow Uber cars into Blackpool taxi ranks.

  • Darlington

Darlington council is considering Uber’s request for a licence to operate in the borough. The decision is set to be announced in August. However, cab operators in the area have expressed concerns that the private hire company could “flood” the city.

Local cabbie, Harry Smith said: “As soon as Uber comes here permanently they’re going to flood the town with daft amounts of taxis from outside the area.”

  • York

Councillors in York have confirmed they will discuss granting an operating license to Uber six years after they originally refused the request. However, Uber drivers from local areas have been still been able to drive into York to work legally.

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.

Research shows that Uber driving was the most popular side hustle in the UK last year, as applicants were attracted to the app’s low barrier to entry and flexible working hours.

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.

Written by:
Helena Young
Helena is Lead Writer at Startups. As resident people and premises expert, she's an authority on topics such as business energy, office and coworking spaces, and project management software. With a background in PR and marketing, Helena also manages the Startups 100 Index and is passionate about giving early-stage startups a platform to boost their brands. From interviewing Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin to spotting data-led working from home trends, her insight has been featured by major trade publications including the ICAEW, and news outlets like the BBC, ITV News, Daily Express, and HuffPost UK.

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