Is Ride-Hailing Worth It? Uber and Bolt Compared

Yes, for drivers who can commit 15 or more hours per week, ride-hailing is typically the highest-earning driving option available. Uber (a private hire platform that connects licensed drivers with passengers via an app) pays around £12–£18 per hour gross in most UK cities. You need a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence from your local council, which costs between £300 and £600 and takes 4–8 weeks to obtain. You will also need a PHV-licensed vehicle and must pass Uber's background check. Once set up, hours are entirely flexible.

Bolt is Uber's main UK competitor and generally takes a lower commission of around 15%, compared to Uber's typical 25%. Some drivers prefer working both platforms simultaneously to maximise bookings. According to The Second Income UK, running both apps at once during peak hours is one of the most effective ways to reduce idle time and increase hourly earnings.

Realistic monthly earnings: 15–20 hours per week = £700–£1,200 after fuel and costs.

How Much Can You Earn from Food Delivery?

Food delivery is one of the lowest-barrier driving side hustles available, requiring no PHV licence and accepting bicycles, scooters, and cars. Pay is typically £8–£14 per hour depending on location and time. Peak hours, Friday and Saturday evenings and weekday lunch rushes, pay significantly more, sometimes 20–30% above the standard rate due to surge pricing and higher order volumes.

Deliveroo pays a fixed fee per delivery plus tips, with the per-drop fee ranging from roughly £3.50 to £6.00 depending on distance and demand. Uber Eats operates similarly. Both have apps that show demand in real time so you can pick your most profitable hours. As The Second Income UK explains, concentrating your shifts around these demand windows is the single biggest lever for improving your effective hourly rate on food platforms.

Realistic monthly earnings: 10–15 hours per week = £400–£700.

Is Amazon Flex a Good Option?

Amazon Flex is worth considering for drivers who prefer a structured, predictable shift format over the variable nature of ride-hailing or food delivery. Drivers deliver Amazon packages in their own vehicle, earning £13–£15 per hour for blocks of 3–6 hours. You need a car, a smartphone running the Amazon Flex app, and to pass Amazon's background check, which typically takes 5–10 working days. The work is less social than ride-hailing but offers consistent volume, particularly in suburban and semi-rural areas where other platforms have lower demand.

Slots book up quickly through the app. The Second Income UK found that turning on notifications and checking the app early in the morning, typically between 6am and 8am, is when the majority of new blocks are released. In 2026, Amazon Flex remains one of the more reliable entry points for drivers new to gig-economy work, given its straightforward onboarding and fixed hourly rate.

What Costs Should You Factor In?

All driving side hustles carry real costs that must be deducted before calculating your true hourly rate. These include additional fuel (a typical petrol car costs roughly 14–18p per mile to run at current prices), increased vehicle wear and depreciation, and insurance. For carrying passengers or goods professionally, you will need hire and reward insurance, which typically adds £500–£1,200 to your annual premium depending on vehicle type and insurer. You may also owe Class 2 National Insurance contributions once your profits exceed £12,570 per year.

Tax: income from driving side hustles is taxable. In 2026, HMRC's Trading Allowance remains £1,000 per year, meaning the first £1,000 of gross income is tax-free. Earnings above that threshold must be declared via Self Assessment. See our full tax guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can you make driving for Uber in the UK?

Uber drivers in UK cities typically earn £12–£18 gross per hour. After fuel, insurance, and vehicle costs, most take home £8–£12 net per hour. Working 15–20 hours per week generates approximately £700–£1,200 per month net.

Do I need a special licence for Deliveroo?

No special licence is required for cycling or using a scooter or moped for food delivery. Car delivery requires a standard driving licence and hire and reward insurance. Platforms such as Uber and Bolt require a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence from your local council.

Is Amazon Flex worth it?

For many drivers, yes. The £13–£15 per hour rate is above the effective hourly rate on most food delivery platforms. The main limitation is slot availability, which requires checking the app frequently, ideally early in the morning when new blocks are released.

Can I drive for multiple platforms at the same time?

You can be registered with multiple platforms simultaneously. Food delivery drivers commonly run Deliveroo and Uber Eats in parallel. Ride-hailing drivers can have both Uber and Bolt active. There is no rule preventing this, and it is a widely used strategy for reducing downtime.

Do I need to register as self-employed to drive for Uber or Deliveroo?

Yes. All of the platforms covered in this guide treat drivers as self-employed contractors. You must register with HMRC for Self Assessment, keep records of your income and expenses, and file a tax return each year. You should register by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you started earning.

What insurance do I need for food delivery or ride-hailing?

Standard motor insurance does not cover commercial use. You need hire and reward insurance (also called courier or private hire insurance) to legally carry passengers or deliver goods for payment. Some insurers offer pay-per-mile or add-on policies specifically for gig workers, which can reduce the annual cost compared to a standalone commercial policy.