Uber launched in the UK over a decade ago. Since then we have enabled hundreds of thousands of drivers to earn whilst providing passengers with greater transport options and supporting local economies.

Due to growing demand from passengers across the UK, we will be launching our services in a number of new towns and cities this year after securing new local licences – from Swansea and Stockton-on-Tees, to Hull and Aberdeen.

Millions of people in the UK travel with Uber every day. However, many people in these new towns and cities will soon be taking their first trip with us. And when they meet their first driver, it’s important for passengers to know who they are and what they do.

Every single Uber driver in the UK holds a private hire driver’s licence issued by a local council – just like all other cab firms.

Every driver on Uber has been subject to an enhanced DBS check. You will see their details in your app when your booking is confirmed and your trip is tracked and can be shared with loved ones for that extra peace of mind. Over the last few years we have also launched a range of safety features to give you extra peace of mind, including an emergency assistance button and a 24/7 support phone centre. These features are helping us raise the safety standards across the industry.

Uber abides by the same regulations as all other private hire operators. This means that any driver that is licensed in England and Wales can pick up and drop off passengers anywhere in England and Wales as long as the trip is pre-booked, and the driver, vehicle, and operator have all been issued licences by the same licensing authority.

There are some differences. Unlike Taxi drivers for instance, private-hire drivers cannot pick up fares from taxi ranks. We work with councils to help address this, for example by putting pick-up restrictions around local cab ranks. So when booking your trip, please ensure you follow the in-app guidance of where to be picked up safely.

While Uber drivers are regulated in the same way and subject to the same checks as other firms, there are some ways that Uber drivers are different. For example, Uber provides all drivers with a guarantee to earn at least the National Living Wage, as well as providing access to a pension and weekly holiday pay.

When you get your first trip with us, ask the driver about these protections and what they mean to them. Remember that they are working hard to provide you with the best possible service to get you safely from A to B.