Private drive work

[Sid123]

Apologies if this is a stupid question.
If I were to buy an E or S-Class or similar and do private driver work for friends/neighbours or whomever to the airport etc, is it simply required to have hire and rewards insurance or do you have to be registered/checked etc and have that sticker in the car?
I'm not talking about doing Uber/Bolt work, just private jobs from people I know or will meet.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Portia5]

Run it past your local council's licensing department.

(or a local licensing lawyer).

I'd say you'd need a PH licence and PH insurance.

[StevieBee]

Well, this is one of those 'you're either doing or you're not' things.

Either.....

You're running mates to and from the airport every now and then and they're bunging you money for fuel and beer for your time. That's fine. We all do that.

Or

You're a professional service which will require insurances , registration, appropriate tax submissions and the like.

Much like the S-Class, there isn't really a hybrid option.

[Sid123]

Thank you

[NaePasaran]

You'll need a private hire licence and insurance. You can apply for an exemption for the private hire door plates/stickers from your council, or at least you could from my local council although I've no idea on the criteria.

Not to put you off but do the sums, then do them again. And again. I was doing private hire work 2019-2020 and from memory my monthly outgoings were: Hire and reward insurance: £200, Car payments: £300, commercial AA cover: £15. Annual payments included licensing stuff: £700, MOT and servicing: £200-£300. Weekly misc payments: car wash and valet £5-£20.00, diesel depended on miles but probably £70 a week, then add wear and tear repairs due to mileage.

Monthly outgoings before 1 passenger was even picked up was probably £700. Thank god for lockdown that got me out of it

[Lester H]

Interesting post. Two of our friends with whom we go out frequently have, sadly, become a bit doddery, prematurely, in one case. The woman with Parkinson’s, is still just about driving, but shouldn’t be imho. They have no shortage of money. I wondered if they could obtain the services of a dedicated, regular driver, rather than ringing a random taxi firm and not knowing/ feeling at ease with the driver. Not thinking of a full time chauffeur here. I’m guessing that a semi retired driver with a nice E Class or similar would suit. Mainstream taxi firm wouldn’t want the job as they would loose potential revenue. The lady concerned is fairly scrupulous, and wouldn’t want an ‘ on the side’ tax free cash agreement. Any thoughts?

[Digga]

There are firms locally who employ ex-police drivers to drive cars or mpvs. The posh Vitos are much nicer than an S class IMHO. I’d be surprised if they couldn’t find someone similar and get an agreement for regular use.

[Chrisgr31]

Lester H said:

Interesting post. Two of our friends with whom we go out frequently have, sadly, become a bit doddery, prematurely, in one case. The woman with Parkinson’s, is still just about driving, but shouldn’t be imho. They have no shortage of money. I wondered if they could obtain the services of a dedicated, regular driver, rather than ringing a random taxi firm and not knowing/ feeling at ease with the driver. Not thinking of a full time chauffeur here. I’m guessing that a semi retired driver with a nice E Class or similar would suit. Mainstream taxi firm wouldn’t want the job as they would loose potential revenue. The lady concerned is fairly scrupulous, and wouldn’t want an ‘ on the side’ tax free cash agreement. Any thoughts?

The issue will be that the retired driver with a nice E class or whatever will need Hire & Reward insurance etc. To make that worthwhile they’ll need a few clients and then won’t be available when required!

Solution possibly is they own the car and the driver drives their car. A neighbour of my parents had a handy man/ gardener/ driver who just did which ever job she wanted that day