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 at the start of the year, the company has broken new ground and led thousands to sign up to become an Uber driver.

Next week, Aberdeen City Council is expected to approve a new proposal to allow Uber to operate in its city walls. Dundee 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 17 UK cities where Uber is licensed to operate:

England

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

Scotland

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

Wales

• Cardiff

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:

• Aberdeen

Uber previously applied for a licence in the Granite City back in 2019, however Aberdeen City Council rejected the application. In March, the app confirmed that it had submitted a proposal, the results of which will be revealed next week.

Many locals have expressed support for the introduction of Uber to the city. But taxi bosses have argued against approval, amid concerns the app will water down the stringent training and qualifications required to earn a taxi licence in Aberdeen.

• Dundee

Another Scottish city that Uber is targeting in its licensing applications is Dundee. While plans are not as far along as with Aberdeen, and they will also likely face similar backlash from local taxi operators.

Qaiser Habib, president of the Dundee City Taxi Drivers Association, in an interview with Professional Driver, argued there are “more than enough taxis in Dundee. There can often be 30 to 40 in one particular area and we are usually with our customers within minutes.”

• Ipswich

Ipswich Borough Council recently approved a full operating licence for the company which came into effect on May 20. A wave of Uber cars will likely be parking themselves in Ipswich over the next few months, as entrepreneurial drivers take advantage of the new side hustle.

The new arrival has triggered concerns among local cabbies, however. Fast Cabs, a taxi company based in the area, told the East Anglian Times: “Ipswich is such a small town – this will affect all taxi companies that have been running for some time, in such a big way.”

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.